Osti: “We’ve strengthened. Cagni is more of a manager than an assistant”

Blucerchiati sporting director Carlo Osti discussed some of the new faces at the club as he introduced Sampdoria’s four late summer signings to the press in Bogliasco today.

Osti began by explaining Luigi Cagni’s departure from the first-team coaching set-up. Cagni has been replaced by Francesco Pedone, who has made the step up from Primavera coach to act as Walter Zenga’s assistant: “It was a surprise for you in the media but we were all aware of it. It was a decision taken with Zenga – no big drama. You need the relationship between the manager and his assistant to remain positive and develop. Cagni’s personality is more suited to being a manager in his own right rather than a number two.”

Moving on to speak about Sampdoria’s performance in the transfer market, Osti declared: “We’ve done a great deal of business, signing 14 new players and bringing a few more back to the club. We have a good mix of youth and experience. The squad is united and we have the ability to secure a top-half finish.”