Football, Legrottaglie has no doubts: «Bari, we need to take risks: the average age must be lowered»

Fresh from an unprecedented experience within the walls of the European Parliament, where he participated in the conference "Where is football going?", Nicola Legrottaglie returns to the spotlight no longer with boots on his feet, but with the clear and strategic vision of the sports director. The former defender of Bari, Juventus and the national team, today a reference figure in the Italian management scene, has brought his voice to Brussels on a football in transformation, between sustainability, governance and identity. But it is on his Bari that attention is now focused: a team suspended between a glorious past and a future yet to be written. After the farewell to Moreno Longo, the bench is destined for Fabio Caserta and the imminent choices will be decisive for the relaunch. The multi-ownership issue, however, is weighing heavily, which continues to slow down ambitions and planning. In this interview, Legrottaglie talks about himself and reflects: ideas, perspectives and a clear vision for a football that wants to dream again.

Legrottaglie, so where is football going?

"The economic crisis is a consequence of the economic crisis. There is a lack of clear principles within a system in which roles are no longer respected. I see general chaos and everything that is done is driven solely and exclusively by the mania for profit, leaving aside relationships. The football community no longer exists. Only money and self-interested friendships rule."

In which direction is Bari going?

"It depends on how you manage things internally, even in the case of timeshare. If you have clear ideas, you can overcome that too. The lack of common vision leads to division. We should ask ourselves why we play football. Nobody puts in money to waste it. Success is not just winning the championship. But maintaining a solid structure in the long term. Bari must have its own identity."

What added value can Fabio Caserta bring to Bari? We find ourselves faced with yet another starting point after the same speech made last year at this time with Longo.

"We need to understand the objectives. Perhaps the club is still looking for an identity for the technical leadership. They are trying again. I don't know if Caserta is the right man. To do well, he will have to fit in well with all the dynamics with the managers, the environment and the fans."

Does a coach who comes to Bari risk or gain?

"Everyone would coach in Bari. If they called me, I would come right away. It's a beautiful place, with all the elements to take you to high levels."

The issue of the shared ownership between Napoli and Bari has become an increasingly thorny issue for the red and white fans. The joint management by the De Laurentiis family generates discontent, especially for the feeling that Bari is treated as a “branch” of Napoli, with loans that have often not brought concrete benefits to the Apulian team.

"If we continue to make the comparison with Naples we will never get out of it. We must stop. We must get rid of the mental negativity that only attracts counterproductive effects. Bari is unique."

To date, however, the company's prospects and plans have not been clarified.

"Aurelio De Laurentiis' past words were a mistake. But for the good of Bari, everyone must do their part. The square is Champion and we must understand its needs and desires."

The timeshare remains a difficult knot to untie and the fans see it as an obstacle to the club's growth. Many promise to desert San Nicola next year. What could be the strategy to rebuild the bond between the team and the city?

"Deserting would be the worst choice, like going against yourself. For better or for worse, you have to stand by the team. The situation in Bari is not isolated. Many entrepreneurs are tired. They need to be encouraged."

There is a team that needs to be almost completely rebuilt. What characteristics should the new additions have to best face the B championship?

"I would do a mix between green line and experience, focusing more on at least five young prospects who can then become an asset to the club. Serie B must be a showcase. I would lower the age of the team by five years. We need to take risks."

If you had to indicate a key factor to bring enthusiasm and ambition back to Bari, what would it be and what role could the fans have in this process?

"The fans must show love towards Bari. With dialogue and openness to discussion. Cooperation with the club and the team is strategic, respecting the people behind whom there are feelings and stories. I would go to the president and talk, putting anger and resentment aside. It must be done for the good of the club, not De Laurentiis".