Maiellaro, the former playmaker has his say: «I would bet on D'Aversa»

BARI Ideally seated around a table that smells of nostalgia and passion, Pietro Maiellaro and Pino Giusto do not mince words. Their voices, steeped in experience and love for the red and white jersey, resonate like blows in the deafening silence left by a season that has disappointed everyone. Bari, coming off a championship without soul and without glory, finds itself today suspended between a past without targets and a future that is hard to even imagine. A coach in the balance, a nebulous technical project, a fan base tired of promises. It is the moment of uncomfortable truths. Who better than two former players who have lived Bari with their hearts can lay bare the balance sheets to be drawn up and expectations for the imminent tomorrow.

"Judging the season concluded by Bari is useless - Maiellaro attacks in evaluating the Galletti's cadet tournament just behind -. Nothing was valued, not even the youngsters. I think this epilogue is shameful, at the height of a championship that should be completely erased and forgotten. In the end, the club does what it wants. And people continue to delude themselves for nothing. Some do what they want, to say the least".

Bitter conclusion, even though up until the halfway point the "Tsar" from Foggia had glimpsed encouraging signs in view of the second part of the regular season: "The team had the qualities to reach the playoffs. And it was in there for a long time. It means that the means to try were there. I have always expressed myself positively about Longo. The coach had his finger on the pulse of the situation in the locker room. It was up to him to understand the level of the players on a moral, mental and physical level. At a certain point, however, he seems to have lost control perhaps because many things have failed. Since there is no clear objective, Longo has lost his balance. As a consequence, the performance of the players has also dropped. The only exception remains Dorval who, unfortunately, seems to be the first player on the verge of leaving". An announced farewell whose transfer will most likely lead to a cascade of incoming market operations. A policy that is yet to be deciphered and not very responsive to a demanding club like Bari: «The Bari fans - adds Maiellaro - do not deserve such treatment. Disappointments cannot last a lifetime. I would have been curious to understand what would have happened if they had gone to Serie A two years ago instead of Cagliari. Perhaps, all the problems that have rained down in the last two years would not have occurred. And the club would have taken a big weight off its shoulders. Because, once in Serie A, the owners would have had to compromise to sell the club. Which, on the contrary, does not happen today».

A stalemate linked to the uncomfortable corporate situation that sees Filmauro at the helm of both Bari and Napoli: «Multi-ownership is a closed tunnel, a road with no way out. People should no longer be fooled. They deserve loyalty and clarity on objectives. Then, everyone will decide freely whether to subscribe or not. These managers who work for the top (the reference is to Magalini and Di Cesare, ed.) must be clearer, not remote-controlled. When you pretend, it never goes well». In the end, the coach will pay: «I don't think Longo is incompetent. At the beginning of the championship he showed good things. If you don't have luck at the right time, you don't go anywhere. Longo and Bari were like two candles that slowly burned out over time». Many names are circulating for the post Longo: «D'Aversa is pushed by Conte. I think he has the right personality for a place like Bari. Aquiliani can have enthusiasm. Vivarini could be helped by already knowing the environment. If you choose an expert, you have to fight for the first six places. A difficult goal to imagine at the moment. The club must promise less. Only a worthy transfer campaign can deny the downward trend of recent investments. You have to take important guys, for a carefree championship in which people can also have fun. Otherwise, it won't be worth it. If the fans are deciding not to buy season tickets anymore, it was to be expected. I advise future players to do so with the right mind. In recent years, people have been on holiday in Bari. The time for extended holidays is over."

Rather than discuss what has been, Pino Giusto looks to what will be. The first knot to untie: «The club must solve a communication problem with the city, coming out into the open to recreate a relationship that currently does not exist. In practice, it is urgent to choose a coach as soon as possible since, in agreement with the sports directors Magalini and Di Cesare, it was decided to give up Longo. Although, in my opinion, the interruption of the relationship with the Turin coach was an almost consensual decision. When a relationship is worn out, it makes no sense to continue it. In the second half of the season, between few results and some out of place statements, Longo went into a tailspin and was no longer well-regarded by the fans. If he perceived this, it is right to change air and make drastic decisions. In theory, if Longo pays, the same fate should follow the entire management team. But this, for the club, is too difficult and risky a step. Changing radically would increase instability». There is a replacement to be found. Giusto's recipe has few but good ingredients: «I would focus on a young player to give the club an extra boost. He hasn't done much as a coach, but Aquilani could have the right motivation coming out of a negative experience in Pisa. Regardless of the coach, it is the club that must provide precise signals. That is, make an important squad available to those who come after. You don't need a high-sounding coach with a cheap squad. You need a more carefree manager in the way he plays. It's not true that an old-fashioned profile ensures you win. Football is linked to many situations. At that point, it's better to have a coach of average skill, but one who can recreate enthusiasm with a lively game». There is almost an entire team to redo: «It's the handicap that is inherited every year due to the many loans - continues Giusto -. You are forced to always start over. In my opinion, the ownership must present a defined program. You can't go on retreat with a limited number of players and then do a transfer market on the fly with only loans. Bari needs much more. They need owned players so as not to always start from scratch. Given that the 2028 deadline for the timeshare expiration is looming, I would aim to make a project for an immediate return to Serie A to try to sell the club in the best possible way. I would not like to reach the set time limit with the risk of selling everything off».