Zamparini: 'I was wrong to sack Pioli'

By Football Italia staff

Maurizio Zamparini admits he “was wrong to sack” Stefano Pioli, now at Inter, and backs current Coach Eugenio Corini – to a degree.

The two clubs face off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.

Pioli was appointed to the Sicilian bench on June 2 2011 and fired on August 31 – before the Serie A season had even started.

He had just two competitive games, two draws with FC Thun that sealed their Europa League preliminary round exit.

“We understood each other straight away and I appreciated Pioli first as a man and then as a Coach,” Palermo President Zamparini told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I was wrong to sack him, but at that moment I thought we no longer had the conditions to continue together. I received bad advice from my director of sport.

“I was eating my second testicle due to the stress. I’d already eaten the first.”

Zamparini has threatened to sack current Coach Corini as well, but provided a less than ringing endorsement.

“Corini is not in doubt, but I do expect Palermo to play better from now on. I’ve beaten Inter many times over the years, even when they had absolute champions in the squad.

“I wish Pioli well at Inter, but only from the next game. Considering the difference in quality between the sides, there should be no chance for Palermo, yet I preserve hope.

“Inter have Mauro Icardi, the best centre-forward in Serie A, and Ivan Perisic who in my view is exceptional.”

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