As the Italian football calendar inches towards the pre-season ritiro, the air in Bari is thick with anticipation and, for club president Luigi De Laurentiis, the familiar scent of strategic planning. With the new season on the horizon, De Laurentiis offered a candid glimpse into the club`s operations, revealing a concerted effort to build a competitive squad while navigating the turbulent financial waters of modern football, particularly within Serie B.
A Proactive Approach to Player Acquisition
In stark contrast to previous seasons, De Laurentiis highlighted a significant advantage this year: time. “We`ve had more time, allowing us to hit the ground running,” he stated, emphasizing a newfound proactivity in the transfer market. This extended preparation has enabled Bari`s sporting directors, Magalini and Di Cesare, to identify and secure “impactful” players, laying a robust foundation for the upcoming campaign.
The goal is clear: integrate new signings as swiftly as possible. “We hope to announce more names before the training camp begins,” De Laurentiis remarked, underlining the desire for coach Caserta to work with a complete, cohesive squad from day one. It’s a pragmatic approach, acknowledging that while unexpected opportunities might arise closer to the deadline, having a solid base is paramount.
New Look, Enduring Soul: The Betsson Sport Partnership
Beyond the pitch, Bari is also embracing a fresh visual identity. The presentation of the new kits unveiled Betsson Sport as the club`s main sponsor. De Laurentiis expressed satisfaction with the partnership, describing Betsson as a “reputable and important entity.”
Intriguingly, De Laurentiis touched upon the philosophy behind the new kit design. While acknowledging Bari`s past forays into internationally acclaimed, creative designs, he suggested a pivot back to basics. “This year, we want to tell the story of football played through the shirts,” he explained, hinting at a desire to realign the club`s aesthetic with its core sporting purpose, perhaps a subtle nod away from trends that might “distance the true soul of the team.”
Navigating the Financial Headwinds of Modern Football
However, the conversation quickly pivoted from on-field ambition to off-field realities. De Laurentiis didn`t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room: the escalating costs and shrinking revenues plaguing modern football, especially outside the very top tiers. He painted a stark picture of Serie B`s economic landscape, contrasting it sharply with the financial might of clubs like Napoli, which his family also owns.
“The revenues of Bari and Serie B simply don`t permit the investments of Napoli,” he stated plainly. The discussion extended to broader league-wide challenges, noting that even Lega assemblies are now grappling with how to “reduce exorbitant costs.” The decline in TV investments, exemplified by France`s halved figures, signals a grim trend impacting clubs across the board. “We are all in enormous economic difficulty,” De Laurentiis lamented, anticipating reduced spending from other teams as well.
This economic squeeze impacts player acquisition directly. De Laurentiis brought up the example of Liam Henderson, a player deemed “interesting” but whose potential acquisition underscores the current market distortions. “One of the two strikers I had in mind cost more than Henderson would,” he revealed, offering a glimpse into the dizzying valuations. The issue isn`t just salaries, but also inflated commissions and performance bonuses that push overall costs sky-high. He critically assessed the Serie B market as “drugged” (inflated/addicted), with player salaries often “not in line with performance.”
In this challenging environment, Bari`s strategy often involves loan players. De Laurentiis`s hope rests on their “ultra-performance” – a pragmatic acceptance that securing top talent sometimes means relying on temporary arrangements and extracting maximum value. “If you can put together a good team where those loans over-perform, the fans will be the first to be happy,” he mused, highlighting the delicate balance between financial prudence and fan expectation.
A Long Road Ahead
While acknowledging the progress made – more time, improved internal knowledge, and learning from past missteps – De Laurentiis remains cautiously optimistic. His ultimate satisfaction will only be achieved once the transfer window closes and the team demonstrates cohesion and positive results in pre-season. It`s a testament to the complex, multi-faceted role of a modern football president, where ambition must constantly contend with economic gravity.
As Bari prepares to embark on its new campaign, De Laurentiis`s words serve as a reminder that behind the glamour of the game lies a meticulous business, constantly seeking equilibrium in a market that seems increasingly unbalanced. The road, as he rightly concludes, is long.
