By Bradley James
Start of a Dynasty Staff Writer
Monday, November 1, 2010; 12:00 AM
CESENA, EMILIA-ROMAGNA -- Can newly promoted Serie A side A.C. Cesena play with the big boys yet?
Clearly the management thinks not. Cesena announced the replacement of their manager, Massimo Ficcadenti, late last night. His replacement comes as a surprise, only a year after leading Cesena to a promotion in 2009. Even more surprising for Cesena fans is the replacement coming in for Ficcadenti. Joseph Bellini, a former Everton midfielder, has never coached a professional side before, but the Cesena management have “a lot of faith in [Bellini]” and are looking forward to a successful relationship.
This change could not come at a worse time for the newly promoted side. The squad has already undergone several changes since the end of the 2009 season and had several key players from last year’s promoted side go away on loan. Cesena do have useful players on loan to them, but the core of their squad has been renovated from last year. The Cesena board has not yet released how much transfer money the new manager will receive, but it will undoubtedly be a lot. When asked about the figure, the Cesena board chair just smiled and said, “All will be revealed as the season begins.”
He continued to say that “we will not regret giving the job to someone with little experience” and that “we feel we’re best served with making this change with a new face so we can achieve our objectives as a club.” The lack of experience seems to be a common theme throughout the park for Cesena, who may look to bring in some experience to balance this youth. Bellini did play with a very young Everton side during his playing career, but several free agents are rumored to have caught Bellini’s eye. Several young American players, notably the U17 American National captain Esteban Martinez, are looking for a club, and Bellini could provide the home for several of these young stars.
On the other side of the spectrum, captain Giuseppe Collucci provides some of the only experience in the Cesena clubhouse. Collucci had this to say about the management change: “Obviously Massimo and I were good friends, but hopefully the board and Bellini know what’s good for the club, and hopefully he can help us do well in Serie A.”
Whatever moves Bellini does end up making, the Cesena board seems to trust in him. Although we haven’t heard yet how much money Bellini will be entrusted with, we can only guess that it will be a large sum of money. Clearly, Cesena is looking to bring in new talent. Bellini was reserved but composed in his first appearance to the press as the face of A.C. Cesena. When faced with questions about where to expect Cesena in the table this year, Bellini merely smiled and said, “We have a young squad, and we’re looking to rebuild in the near future. Once we’re set inside our clubhouse, look out, Internazionale. Here we come.”
Whether that’s a valid challenge or not, we will have to wait and see. However, Bellini seems to be confident in their young Cesena side. Once they shake out the early season jitters, look for this Cesena squad to try and shake things up. Bellini just winked at the camera, saying “Watch for us.”
