Getty Images 10 months ago

SALERNO, ITALY - APRIL 02: Fans of Reggina Calcio support their team during the Serie B match between Salernitana Calcio and Reggina Calcio at Stadio Arechi on April 2, 2010 in Salerno, Italy.

 

- Click here for the complete Italian Serie A 2010 - 2011 Schedule, Italian Football League tickets, 2010 - 2011 Coppa Italia Schedule/ Italian Super Cup 2010 / 2010 - 2011 Italy Serie A Calendar    Buy AS Roma Tickets

Salerno Calcio 1919

American businessman, Joseph Cala, has purchased Salerno Calcio 1919, more commonly known as Salernitana. This club is located in Salerno, which is in the Campania region of Southern Italy. They were in Serie B last season and have only spent two seasons in the Serie A: 1947-1948 and 1998-1999. You may recognize a few of their former players: Marco Di Vaio, who was capocannoniere, or leading scorer, with Salernitana in 1997 when they won promotion to Serie A. Gennaro "Rino" Gattuso and Davide Di Michele also spent time with the Campanian club early in their respective careers.

About Joseph Cala

Joseph Cala, presidente della Cala Corporation - specializzata in costruzione di alberghi di lusso e anche di casinò galleggianti e sottomarini -, è il nuovo proprietario della Salernitana. Ha rilevato le quote del presidente Lombardi, dopo la sue gestione durata sei anni. "Sono stato più veloce di DiBenedetto, altro americano che vuole la Roma? Lo conosco, spero ci si ritrovi in A. Io voglio arrivarci dopo due tornei di B, quindi tre anni in tutto".

Joseph Cala, President of Cala Corporation (Titusville, Florida), specializing in the construction of luxury hotels and also of floating and underwater casinos, is the new owner of Salernitana. He took over for President Lombardi after his tenure of six years.

"I was faster than DiBenedetto." Another American who wants AS Roma? (The reporter, Signor Imparato, added that question.)

"I know him. I hope that we reunite in Serie A. I want to arrive there after two seasons in Serie B. Therefore, three years in total."

Promesse e borsa — Il progetto di Cala è chiaro: dare una impronta manageriale al club che ha rilevato e sopratutto rivalutare anche i rapporti coi giocatori.

"Vanno rispettati, aiutati, pagati e rilanciati. Non capisco come può, un giocatore bravo come Montervino, essere mandato in tribuna aspettando che si stanchi e lasci il club. No, non sono d’accordo". Chiaramente neofita del calcio ("Chiederò al sindaco di abbattere le recinzioni all’interno dello stadio,. così mi sembra una prigione"), Cala vara una serie di scadenze: "Il club sarà quotato in borsa, come la mia Cala Corporation. Mossa che mi permetterà di emettere bond, bot e azioni che permetteranno alla società di incamerare soldi. Creeremo un canale televisivo attivo 24 ore e una web radio".

Promises and the Stock Exchange

Cala's project is clear. To put a managerial imprint on the club that he pointed out and above all to also re-evaluate the rapport with the players.

"They are going to be respected, helped out, paid and relaunched. I don't understand how a great player, such as Francesco Montervino, is sent to the stands waiting for someone to get tired and leave the team. No, I don't agree with it."

Clearly a neophyte in soccer, ("I'll ask the mayor to break down the fences inside of the stadium. It seems like a prison.") Cala scopes out a series of deadlines:

"The club will be quoted on the stock exchange just like my Cala Corporation (CCAA). A move that will allow me to float a bond issue and issue shares that will allow the club to take in money. We'll create a 24-hour television station and a streaming web radio station."

Ex calciatore — Cala, originario di San Cataldo, paesino siciliano in provincia di Caltanissetta, è il classico self-made-man senza peli sulla lingua. "La trattativa con Lombardi, che ha comunque speso circa 10 milioni per il club, è stata lunga perché parliamo due lingue diverse economicamente, alla fine mi sono assunto il 70 per cento dei debiti. In più è attorniato da una serie di consiglieri che non capiscono nulla, e che scappano quando devono cacciare un euro (di conseguenza hanno rassegnato le dimissioni il d.s. Nicola Salerno e il d.g. Antonio Loschiavo, n.d.r.) Azzererò molte spese superflue, ma farò in modo che i calciatori siano pagati e soprattutto rispettati: la gente va allo stadio per vedere gli atleti, non i dirigenti che prendono regolarmente lo stipendio. Vedrete, coi risultati, riporterò 30-35 mila spettatori allo stadio".

Former Player (Where he played was not indicated but 'former player' was the subheading.)

Cala, originally from San Cataldo, a small town in the Caltanissetta province of Sicily, is the classic 'self-made man' who isn't afraid to speak his mind.

"The deal with Lombardi, who had already spent €10 million for the team, was protracted because we speak two different languages in an economic sense. In the end, I assumed 70 percent of the debts. Moreover, he is surrounded by a team of advisers who don't understand anything. And who run away when they have to hunt down a euro (due to this, the Sporting Director, Nicola Salerno and the General Manager, Antonio Loschiavo, have been sacked).

I'll cut out many unnecessary expenses, but I'll do it in a way that the players are paid and above all, respected. Fans come to the stadium to see the athletes. Not the directors on fixed salaries. You will see, with results, I'll draw 30 to 35,000 spectators to the stadium."

Italian source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, "Ecco l'USAlernitana Americani in terza serie," 11 February 2011, Gaetano Imparato.

Steve Amoia is a freelance writer, editor and translator from Washington, D.C. He is the founder of World Football Commentaries. He has written for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio (Italian soccer school), Football Media, Italian Soccer Serie A, Keeper Skool and Soccerlens.

Buy AS Roma Gear, AS Roma Soccer Jersey, AS Roma Gift Ideas for Roma fans
 

ShareThis