Prade bids Samp farewell: Thanks to the club and to Ferrero. We’ll always be friends.

After a little under two seasons as Sampdoria Technical Director, today is the day for Daniele Pradè to say his goodbyes.
At the Centro Sportivo Gloriano Mugnaini he declared: “I’d like to thank Massimo Ferrero firstly, I won’t be working with him anymore, but we’ll always be friends. I’d also like to thank the club, which always supported me, and also the staff and the players. It’s hard to leave Samp: this team is something special, the Gradinata is unbelievable, the support is marvellous, just as playing at the Marassi is, you realise what it’s like as an opponent, but it makes an even bigger difference when you are part of it here.”
“Sampdoria is organised in a certain way, which works well and should continue,” continued the Udinese-bound Director, “personally I wanted something different: our work is one of changes, ideas, imagination. President Pozzo’s plans convinced me, but it’s not as though I didn’t enjoy the set-up here, there were no clashes or problems. There was always a nice, honest and candid rapport, which is why we’ll stay friends in the future.”
“Ilicic is my great regret,” admits Pradè; “missing out on Europe was a pity: we were on the right path to get there. The positives? Winning three out of four derbies played, with the fourth a draw. I don’t imagine I’ll be remembered as an icon of the club, since I was only here two years, but the mutual affection with everyone here will be something I always carry with me.”
Finally, we come to the passing of the torch. “I wish Walter Sabatini all the best”, ended Pradè, “I hope he has a long career with Samp, and maybe even wins a trophy. I hope Ferrero can win back the fans’ favour: a strong connection between club and fans brings points, enthusiasm, and people to the stadium. Sampdoria are doing great things: it’s a work in progress, getting better all the time.”