Speaking to Italian news outlet
Calcio e Finanza, the Partenopei President spoke about how his Inter opposite number, part of a broader point that he doesn’t feel that modern football owners have the right kind of connection to their clubs. De Laurentiis has rarely been shy about expressing his often outspoken opinions.
Speaking to Calcio e Finanza, the Napoli President argued that the presence of owners with a more financial motivation has not been a positive influence on Italian football.
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When the financial funds start taking over, I start to get perplexed, because these financial funds have been the death of football, because all they’re interested in is maximizing the return of investment for their shareholders over the next five years,” De Laurentiis was scathing.
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Football, on the other hand, is supposed to be an entertainment spectacle, like cinema.”
De Laurentiis spared few words as he gave his impression of Nerazzurri President Zhang in particular, who he considers an example of a new type of owner who have become more prominent in Italian football in recent years, which he doesn’t see as a positive thing.
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Every now and then, I see him look a bit interested in his team, even if when he shows up at the stadium they usually lose,” the Napoli President joked about Zhang.
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Then when he comes into frame, he always has this sad puppy dog expression on his face,” he added.