Sampdoria have formally bid farewell to Serie A after 12 years following the 0-2 loss to Udinese Monday night. Amid a host of financial difficulties, the Blucerchiati never managed to gain any momentum despite a coaching change, going from Marco Giampaolo to Dejan Stankovic in October.
They have collected 17 points in 34 games, winning just thrice. They have the least prolific attack and the leakiest defense in the league. No team in the top five European championships has scored less than them, Tuttomercatoweb points out.
Sampdoria got relegated a few days after their crosstown rivals, Genoa, were promoted with two games to go, returning to the top flight after one year in the second division. The Grifone had an underwhelming start but turned the corner after elevating Alberto Gilardino from the Primavera team. They were the most consistent team in the second half of the season.
Per Corriere della Sera, the Blucerchiati face a race against the clock to find a buyer that would take care of the debts before the deadlines to register for the next campaign. The outfit needs to settle over €200M to their creditors. The players agreed to delay and dilute their wages earlier this year to avoid a point deduction. While some investors have shown interest, nothing progressed in a substantial fashion, also due to the opposition of previously ousted chairman Massimo Ferrero.
Sampdoria coach Stankovic commented.
“I feel extreme sadness and disappointment for the relegation. We are all down in the dumps, but we gave everything we had. We fought with dignity along with the fans that always stayed close to us. I hope they find a solution to this situation.”
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