Lazio set Mancini free for Inter Tuesday 6 July, 2004
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Roberto Mancini is officially free from his contract and Paolo Di Canio could return to the club, confirmed the Lazio President.
“We have ended our relationship with Mancini,” announced director general Giuseppe De Mita after this evening’s meeting. “Over the next ten days we hope to find his replacement.”
President Ugo Longo had already said as much in a radio interview, but the latest statements make it a matter of hours before Inter put pen to paper.
“The Mancini situation will be resolved once a new majority shareholder is brought in,” explained Ugo Longo on a local radio station, “but it could happen long before that stage considering the fact the two clubs already have a very positive rapport.”
The Nerazzurri ran into trouble after announcing Mancini was their new Coach last month, forgetting that he was still tied to a contract with Lazio until 2006.
Last week negotiations between the two sides began in earnest and it’s believed he will be released in exchange for four players on loan, including Mohamed Kallon, Potenza and Rebecchi.
“I think that the Mancini problem will be resolved to the advantage of Lazio both in terms of quality and finances,” continued President Longo. “Our primary objective is to safeguard the financial security of this club and that means drastically cutting costs.”
Mancini’s wages had already posed an issue for the Biancocelesti, suggesting he would move on this summer, but Inter’s decision to jump the gun effectively put the power back into Lazio’s hands.
They were able to request several players – and it’s believed Kallon’s clearance proved pivotal – as remuneration for releasing their Coach.
Inter also suggest that the official confirmation of Mancini’s arrival is imminent, even though the pre-season training camp is already in full swing.
“There is no news on Mancini,” assured patron Massimo Moratti. “It is an internal affair between himself and Lazio. We’ll know more over the next few days.”
Meanwhile, the rumours linking Paolo Di Canio with a return to his old club are gaining credence.
“This is a possibility that we are investigating,” revealed chief Longo. “I think that he has Lazio in his heart and that is what we need at the moment, in a club so confused and torn apart by financial problems.”
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Fimally !!!
Congrats guys...I hope he does great with Inter.
