PRESS CONFERENCE | Nicola’s first words.

Introductory press conference for coach Davide Nicola, who is ready to dive into the redblue preseason after meeting with the team this afternoon. Cagliari’s 2024/2025 season begins today, with two weeks of work in Assemini, at the CRAI Sport Center, then as many in the Aosta Valley.

Sports Director Nereo Bonato, who also answers some questions about the club’s ideas this summer, debuts. “Today we take an important step on a new path. In replacing Ranieri the club evaluated many parameters, both human and economic and tactical, in that sense Nicola met all these criteria. I believe he is the right profile to open a new cycle. This is an opportunity for everyone, a great challenge to face together. And the unity of our people will be fundamental to this project, we have seen in the past seasons how much the drive of the fans affects results. We wanted to wait for the coach’s officialdom before announcing the first signings, in agreement with the coach we will first evaluate the roster and then figure out how to improve it. There are no incedible or irreplaceable players, everything will depend on market situations and evaluations that the parties will make with great serenity and balance We are aware that we have started a path of growth in the last 18 months, from B to Serie A. This year we have to consolidate the category, also confirming part of the group. There have been some exits given by unwinnable offers and then by disposals due to economic parameters. These are steps to grow, but for Cagliari it is not a zero year. We change the coach but not the path taken 18 months ago by the club.”

SUPER WELCOMING
“I would like to thank all the people for their welcome yesterday at the airport,” Davide Nicola attacks. “It was really unexpected and fantastic,” he continues, “I immediately felt the sense of belonging and family in this city. Now I just want to work tirelessly. I enter the history of Cagliari on tiptoe as it should be but I want to contribute to this history

THE CHOICE OF CAGLIARI
“I always had the desire to be here, in Sardinia and on this bench, now I am immersed in this challenge. The rest are words. I want to get into the Sardinian mentality and understand how to create a synergy between those on the field and the fans, who have to recognize themselves with the team. I like aggressive and dynamic play and I look forward to this new season to represent the people behind us. Playing at home is always a source of pride and satisfaction, as well as strength. The schedule makes us start with so many home games, but the vision must be broader and we must have a qualitative performance both at home and away. Also because you only find continuity that way. However, I never look from experience to the calendar or the opponent, first of all we find our identity so that we can always play against anyone.”

A BACKWARD GLANCE
“Cagliari has strong values that I want to preserve and strengthen. Coach Claudio Ranieri last year set the tone for the team, with great compactness between departments and good balance. Ranieri cannot be compared with anyone, because he is unique as a person and as a coach. We also spoke to each other in the week before I was saved in Empoli. What he wrote to me I still keep. Picking up Ranieri’s legacy is one more reason why I chose Cagliari. I have always liked Ranieri’s character and I pick up a great baton. I have my own ideas and characteristics, we want to make the inclusion of new players functional. In this long negotiation Bonato and I have always been in contact and very aligned in our work. Certainly it was a long negotiation because there were two serious companies involved and each respected the values and needs of the other. I did not leave Empoli but rather accepted Cagliari, these are important shades of meaning. In Empoli I had a formative experience but I had long had the desire to coach Cagliari. This place from the outside has always involved me and now I am lucky enough to be in it.”

TEAM BUILDING
“First of all we need to get to know the boys and the roster as a whole, it would be disrespectful and unhelpful to talk now. We will have to acquire our own identity, learning to stand on the field with a clear mentality, only then can you play against anyone, even those who are superior on paper. Our results will be the child of many factors, but the mentality of knowing how to face anyone with our values in mind will be decisive.”

THE FUTURE
“Our history says that first of all we have to acquire salvation, which is a fundamental starting point. We think of clubs like Atalanta that got where they are one step at a time: staying in Serie A is not a given, staying there for years and growing is the result of shrewdness and ambition. We have to give continuity of results, the sooner we get to salvation the better, then we will see. Meanwhile, consolidating the category is already an improvement, goals are centered on the field and not in words, we are all ambitious but ambition must be contextualized. Every dream costs effort, work and planning, but cultivating it all together has a better chance of success.”

PROACTIVE MINDSET
“Regardless of the youth, the age of the players, what matters are the people and the relationships between them. For me it doesn’t change the identity card of the players, of course those who have experience can be decisive at certain times, young people have quality and freshness but they should be given patience. I really appreciate those who are hungry to arrive, those who have it get along very well with me.”

IMPORTANT CHANCE
“I have never worked miracles, I believe in myself and my work and those who work alongside me. Labels are journalistic expressions, I am interested in achieving goals and demonstrating ideas and values on the field. This I think I have always done. Then the job is flexible but I coach to turn ideas and enthusiasm into excitement. I really only think about doing and doing it with the greatest enthusiasm.”

STILL ALONGSIDE PISACANE
“Catching up with Fabio is something exciting,” the coach explained, recalling the Lumezzane days and referring to the current coach of the Rossoblù Primavera. “Of course, the years go by. Seeing him in Primavera is nice, he has great human values and we will compare. He showed as a player that he is a clean and honest one, and loyalty is one of the values I appreciate most in people.”