Grella: "Viali's turning point, difficult choice: but now Catania must aim for Serie B"

Burden and honors. The strategic choices of Catania always involve the opinion (influential if not decisive) of Vincenzo Grella. The vice president of Catania, after the change of coach, also touched on the subject without going into specifics. For the series: laundry is done in the family. And if dg Zarbano, in response to our specific question – namely how can you dismiss a coach after a victory – replied that the period during which this decision was considered was broader – it was Grella who spoke again about the relationship with Toscano which, now obviously, has deteriorated.

That there was a sense of a change had been felt since the defeat in Potenza against Sorrento, then the team played better, there was the need to prepare for the crucial double away matches in Salerno and Benevento and here the team abandoned all hope of catching the Sanniti at the top collecting only one point despite perhaps playing the best matches of the season.

Then the rest is history: the victory in Altamura, Toscano not speaking in the press room due to a health issue, the return of the executives to headquarters to initiate the procedures for the change on the bench.

On the occasion of the presentation of Viali, the same vice president spoke about his relationship with the now former Calabrian coach: "I am sorry because if you work for a season and a half with the coach experiencing both happy moments and less brilliant ones, it is clear that a personal relationship is established. I have to thank him for what he has done".

However, also on behalf of President Pelligra, he has already welcomed Viali a few days ago.

"We have turned the page and it was not an easy choice".

What do you expect immediately or in the medium term from Viali?

"We have asked the new coach to maximize the characteristics of the players and the overall value of the squad".

The results have not been brilliant lately, but the performances have been.

"We strongly believe in this group and I am sure they can perform better".

Why was the choice made for Viali?

"We chose him for various reasons, one of which we consider a priority concerns the need to unlock things that were not working in terms of play because - I reiterate - we believe very much in the technical values of the team".

The contract signed by the coach will also be valid for the upcoming season. Therefore, no interim managers have been hired here.

"At the end of the season we will evaluate the coach's performance and take stock. But this applies to everyone working within the club".

Does this also apply to you?

"Of course. My position will be evaluated by both the president and the board, and that is normal. We focus on doing well from today to achieve the final goal".

Promotion to Serie B?

"Exactly. And we say it clearly because the club's activities continue, it has the obligation to pursue victory given the enormous sacrifices of our president".

But in the end, what broke down between Toscano and Catania?

"The decision to change the technical leadership weighed heavily given the personal relationship that had developed. We had very regular discussions, often talking about the team's performance and the difficulties we encountered. Toscano rightly did what he thought was best at that moment with the squad available".

In short, let's not beat around the bush. Is there a reason?

"There is always a reason when changes are made mid-season or six matches from the end of the regular season. In our opinion, the team was not performing up to its actual potential".