
Cittadella has made a significant decision to part ways with head coach Edoardo Gorini following a difficult start to the 2024-2025 Serie B season.
The announcement, made on Friday, 11 October 2024, by general manager Stefano Marchetti, marks the first time in Marchetti’s career that a coach has been dismissed mid-season. The club issued a statement thanking Gorini for his “seriousness, professionalism and passion” during his time with Cittadella.
Gorini had been part of the club for 17 years, first as a player between 2007 and 2013, and then as an assistant coach before taking the helm in 2021. Despite his long-standing relationship with the club, recent results have been dismal. I Granata currently sits in third-last place in the Serie B standings, having managed just 7 points. With the worst attack and defence in the league, and only 4 victories in 2024, the pressure became insurmountable after a humiliating 6-1 defeat to Sassuolo.
In the interim, assistant coach Roberto Musso will oversee training while the club evaluates both internal and external candidates for the vacant head coach position. Among the rumoured names are Roberto Venturato, who previously led the club, and Bepi Pillon, a seasoned Serie B coach.
Cittadella’s Struggles Continue
The decision to sack Gorini was not made lightly. Discussions among the club’s leadership, including director general Stefano Marchetti and president Andrea Gabrielli, were intense, with some believing that a change was necessary for the team to recover from their dire position. Marchetti’s final decision was likely influenced by the team’s 6-1 loss to Sassuolo and the concerning form that saw Cittadella lose eight consecutive matches earlier in the year.
Gorini’s tenure began in 2021, following the departure of Roberto Venturato, and initially, the team performed well, narrowly missing out on promotion. However, the 2023-2024 season saw a downturn, and this season, Cittadella’s struggles have been pronounced. Three consecutive defeats, coupled with poor performances in both attack and defence, left the club with no choice but to seek a new direction.
While Musso is temporarily in charge, the next fixture against Cosenza on 19 October looms large. Cittadella will need a win to avoid being overtaken by Cosenza, who are just two points behind.
Site Opinion
Loyalty is often overshadowed by results, and this is a classic case. Edoardo Gorini gave 17 years of service to Cittadella, yet the nature of modern football means that even long-serving figures are not immune to the pressures of poor performance. While it may seem harsh to part ways with such a loyal servant, the results on the pitch this season left Cittadella with little choice. Sitting perilously close to the bottom of the table, drastic action was necessary to spark a revival and avoid relegation.
Looking ahead, Cittadella must appoint a head coach who can bring stability and fresh ideas to the squad. Whether it will be an internal promotion or an external hire remains to be seen, but the club must act quickly to prevent further decline. The upcoming match against Cosenza will be a crucial test for whoever takes the reins, and a positive result could mark the beginning of a turnaround for the struggling side.
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