Messina vor Verkauf

[american]

Messina’s relegation is all but certain and President Pietro Franza has announced he’s looking for new buyers.

“After 10 years I am leaving this club,” said the patron in today’s Press Conference. “I have led this side for a decade, taking them from the amateur League up to Serie B, then promotion to Serie A and the historic seventh-place finish.

“In the meantime the costs of running the team rose and I received help from nobody, including the local authorities.”

Franza has been increasingly unpopular with the fans, partly due to his backing of Coach Bruno Giordano.

The tactician was fired, re-hired and then sacked again this week to make way for Bruno Bolchi, although Messina are all but relegated now.

Franza insists those recent splits within the fanbase were not the root cause, as the Sicilians were only rescued from Serie B last summer due to the Calciopoli scandal.

“The disappointing way last season panned out had already made us understand how difficult it was to maintain the level we had reached.

“The ulterior lack of success this term, whether we remain in the top flight or not, came after the most radical changes we could make in terms of the organisation and the team assets,” continued the President.

“This has made us reflect and decide on the need for change. Without this radical and deep revolution, it will not be possible for the Franza Group to maintain the level of Messina’s football on its own.”

The patron may not step out of the limelight completely, as he is looking for investors who can buy up a part of his shares, but he has ruled out staying on as President.

“With the new associates, who we feel should aspire to hold the majority shares and if they want the entire package, will have to guarantee financial solidity and a professional approach. They must plan the future of the football club.”

Franza may have had enough, but he promises not to abandon Messina in their hour of need.

“If an associate willing to believe and invest in Messina’s football and the projects around the stadium does not come forward, then we will nonetheless continue our financial leadership aimed towards balancing the books.”

channel4.com