It’s a new era at Sampdoria under the ownership of Andrea Radrizzani and Matteo Manfredi. The club is hopefully entering into a period of stability after flirting with bankruptcy.
The Genoa-based club currently find themselves 10th in Serie B after being relegated from Italy’s top-flight last season for the first time since 2010/11.
Sampdoria famously won Serie A in 1991 and reached the European Cup Final in 1992 with a team featuring the likes of Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli. The pair combined for 10 goals in the tournament with Sampdoria eventually losing 1-0 to Barcelona at Wembley.
Mancini’s youngest son, Andrea, is now the sporting director at Sampdoria having joined in July. And the 31-year-old is playing a crucial role in trying to turn I Blucerchiati’s fortunes around.
“Joining Sampdoria was a big opportunity,” said Andrea, who started his senior career at Manchester City. “This is a big job, and even more so for me because my father spent 15 years here.
“For me, Sampdoria is a family. It’s like a ‘second skin’ for me. I feel a big responsibility. [Owner] Matteo Manfredi is building a good project, but it will take time.
“It’s very special here. Every time I go inside the stadium, it’s like being a kid again. I can’t explain the emotion I feel, but what I can say is that if I could sign a contract for a life at Sampdoria, I’d do it without hesitation.”
Sampdoria’s primary goal is stability, both on and off the field. Prior to Radrizzani and Manfredi assuming control over the summer, the club’s financial problems were clear for all to see.
Massimo Ferrero was forced to step down as Sampdoria president in December 2021 after being arrested as part of an investigation into corporate crimes and bankruptcy, but the 72-year-old still remained on as Sampdoria’s owner.
And for several years, even long before he was under investigation, Ferrero turned down suitors, including a 2019 consortium led by the late Vialli.
All the off-field turmoil contributed to poor results with Sampdoria comfortably finishing bottom of Serie A last season, winning just three times and scoring only 24 goals.
“It’s been difficult for the new owners,” admitted Andrea. “They worked day and night to save Sampdoria, and they’re still working day and night to bring stability to the club. Things are more positive now.”
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