Salernitana has relied for the umpteenth time on Stefano Colantuonoalready under contract with the Granata club in other capacities, to try to recover and avoid a second relegation which would complicate Iervolino’s management even more. A story that began in 2017 when he was called in December to take Alberto Bollini’s place, finishing in twelfth place in the rankings and being confirmed for the following year when, however, following three consecutive defeats he submitted his resignation.
After a period at Sambenedettese as director of the technical area, which lasted about six months, Colantuono returned to Salerno in 2021 – three years later – to take over as Fabrizio Castori in Serie A and tried to save the team, but was sacked in February 2022 after having collected two victories in 15 matches. At the end of last year he returned to the bench again, with zero successes in nine matches and the bitter relegation to Serie B despite having managed to draw at home to two big names such as Juventus and Milan.
Yesterday was the start of a new adventure leading the Campania team under the watchful eye of the sporting director Gianluca Petrachi with whom he had already worked at Torino fifteen years ago (2009/10 season) when the two came close to reaching Serie A, losing only in the playoff final against Brescia.
“Colantuono is not a rebound. You know that I am an honest person, with you and with the fans. With Stefano I shared a very important journey at Torinohe totally knows the team and the environment. – explained the sporting director – If I had entrusted myself to another technician, who has to start from scratch, adapting to the situation and understanding the problems in record time, I would have taken a risk”. “Last year Salernitana was already on its way to a certain type of championship, the owners asked me for help in order not to hire another coach. I’ve been here for six years, I’m a man of society and I have a special relationship with the club. It’s the only place where I’ve stayed for many years, maybe I’ll stay even longer, surpassing the score of Bergamo. – Colantuono explained in the press conference – I get on well with the people and the fans, I accept the criticism and I know that someone has not digested this choice. But I’m a Salerno native by adoption, I’m not saying this to ruffle feathers. And I think I’ll stay for a few more seasons. I wasn’t obligated to stay, the contract had expired. I had the chance to return to coaching, even abroad and with important offers. But in Salerno there is a project that has aroused my interest, building has always stimulated me”.