Official : Sampdoria hire Evani and Lombardo, but free role for Mancini

Sampdoria have officially appointed former player Alberico Evani as coach, with Attilio Lombardo as his assistant, but Roberto Mancini will only be an unofficial ‘consultant’ awaiting other jobs.

Sky Sport Italia had reported today that the trio of former Samp heroes would return to Marassi to help save the club, which is at genuine risk of relegation into Serie C, the third tier of Italian football.

That is partly true, because as expected, this evening the Blucerchiati announced the sacking of coach Leonardo Semplici and his staff, along with technical director Pietro Accardi and his assistant Giuseppe Colucci.

A few hours later, another statement confirmed the appointment of Evani as the new coach, with Lombardo as his assistant manager.

Angelo Gregucci and Paolo Bertelli complete his coaching staff, with their first training session on Tuesday afternoon.

Mancini will not sign Sampdoria contract

However, there is no mention of Mancini, who Sky Sport Italia had reported would be made the new technical director.

According to the same source, this is because Mancini wants to leave the door open in case he receives a call for a new role as coach.

He therefore is ready to work with Sampdoria as a consultant, but without being tied to a contract.

Having Mancini, Evani and Lombardo back at the club had been the dream of Gianluca Vialli, who had tried to lead a conglomerate to purchase Sampdoria before ill health and his death in January 2023.