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Sometimes, more than first impressions, disappointed expectations weigh heavily. And what was supposed to be the official presentation of the new sporting direction of Sampdoria, with Jesper Fredberg (CEO of the sports area), Massimo Donati (coach), and Andrea Mancini (sports director), slipped away like an unfulfilled promise. Not for lack of good intentions, but for the absence of what was truly expected: defined boundaries and at least a hinted vision.

No numbers, no objectives, not even a sentence hinting at whether the ambition is to be in the left or right side of the table. Just a long series of generic concepts and, in some ways, worn-out ones: “do our best”, “build a shared philosophy”, “focus on the group”, “use ‘we'”. Beautiful words, of course. But they are not enough, because they are so overused that they sound like echoes of past seasons. The fact that there were more doubts than enthusiasm among the audience and the press is not a minor detail.

Once again, the absence of ownership weighed heavily. Matteo Manfredi, did not show up. Precisely at a time when Sampdoria would need exactly the opposite: a visible, recognizable presence capable of giving substance to the word “project.”

SAMPDORIA FANS ( PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI )

Getting Involved

What emerged, instead, is a certain lucidity in recognizing the complexity of the moment. Fredberg, Donati, and Mancini know exactly where they have ended up. They have accepted a challenge that at the moment seems more like a bet. And they do not hide it. There was no attempt to sell illusions, and this must be acknowledged. But the vagueness of the answers does not help bridge the gap between the reality on the field and the idea of a future that is still undefined.

For now, there is only a willingness to get involved. It is something, but it is not enough. The Dorian fans are coming from troubled seasons, worn out by faded promises and aborted projects. Today, they demand clarity, perspectives, a minimum of concreteness. And instead, they find themselves once again clinging to “we will work hard.” A déjà vu rather than a new beginning.

The judgment, however, is postponed. It could not be otherwise. This first official step of the new technical trio did not bring the momentum that many hoped for. It sparked, instead, more questions. And confirmed that the real starting point is still to be defined.