Sampdoria Hire Domenico Di Carlo

Sampdoria were left reeling by the departure of Luigi Del Neri to Juventus, the coach who guided them to Champions League qualification. But the bluecerchaiti have moved quickly in the managerial transfer market and appointed former Chievo boss Domenico Di Carlo.

The deal had been mooted ever since the departure of Del Neri and Samp announced the deal install Di Carlo just one hour after Chievo announced his departure.

Clearly a step up for the tactician but one he could not refuse: "I know I have a lot to do to match the work of Del Neri, but I am not fazed by the challenge.

"I wanted to stay at Chievo but when someone offers you the chance to compete in the Champions League, you can't say no," Di Carlo stated.

"It is a painful choice, but for me also a very important professional choice.

“Personally this is a significant reward as the team will play in the preliminary rounds of the Champions League." He continued.

After two very successful seasons in Verona, he has been tempted away. But his legacy will remain at Chievo just as the man he is replacing in Genoa’s did.

Luigi Del Neri is a legend at Chievo and Di Carlo did a phenomenal job at the helm. It must not be forgotten that in his two years there Chievo were tipped by almost every media pundit, newspaper and expert as relegation certainties, however they remain in Serie A with a relatively poor squad.

The organization of the Flying Donkey’s defence was exemplary; they only conceded 42 goals all season, the best defence in Serie A other than the top four. A feat not to be shirked at.

Taking an unfancied side and overachieving is one thing but how will the tactician fare in the Champions League and in Serie A with a pool of players that are, with all due respect, more talented than those he had to work with at Chievo?

Can he tame Antonio Cassano as Del Neri has? Will he get the best out of a team that has overachieved this season? One thing is for certain, he will need a strong start to the Serie A campaign to keep the doubters from his back.

Lets hope he lasts and may his good work continue.