Darran
07-04-2003, 10:45 AM
Lazio boss Roberto Mancini has told his squad that the time has arrived to start winning silverware once more.
"Finishing fourth in the League again next season will not be enough for me," said the tactician who recently signed a new contract until 2008.
"The moment has arrived for us to be victorious because we have now gone too many years without a trophy."
Lazio’s last major honours were won in the year 2000 when they collected the Scudetto, the Italian Cup and the European Super Cup.
Since then the club has been riddled by off the field financial problems but those difficulties now seem to be consigned to history.
"We must look to improve on what we did last season," added Mancio. "We want to play well and win as well as entertaining the fans.
"We know it will be tough against Juventus, Milan and Inter but they were our rivals last season and we didn’t lose in games against them."
Mancini added that he was still hopeful of landing the Udinese trio of David Pizarro, Martin Jorgensen and Alberto.
An agreement between the two clubs was reached last week after the capital outfit offered £5m plus Fabio Liverani and Lucas Castroman.
However, the proposed move has hit problems because of Liverani who seemingly doesn’t want to join the Friuli side.
"I’m sure that we will be able to sign a number of players that we are interested in. Negotiations that are currently on hold will be resolved," he stated.
"I’ve spoken to Liverani. It is a difficult situation but we are hopeful that we can reach an agreement with Udinese."
The Sampdoria legend is also confident that Jaap Stam and Bernardo Corradi will be in his first team plans.
"The Dutchman has never told me that he wants to leave. While I spoke to Corradi a week ago and I think he will remain too," he said.
Meanwhile, director general Luca Baraldi has responded to claims by Milan’s Adriano Galliani that they were interested in Stam.
"Galliani wants Stam? Well I want Naomi Campbell," joked Baraldi. "He’s not going anywhere."
This is a huge show of ambition from Mancio, I believe that this will only inspire confidence into our players to do well.
"Finishing fourth in the League again next season will not be enough for me," said the tactician who recently signed a new contract until 2008.
"The moment has arrived for us to be victorious because we have now gone too many years without a trophy."
Lazio’s last major honours were won in the year 2000 when they collected the Scudetto, the Italian Cup and the European Super Cup.
Since then the club has been riddled by off the field financial problems but those difficulties now seem to be consigned to history.
"We must look to improve on what we did last season," added Mancio. "We want to play well and win as well as entertaining the fans.
"We know it will be tough against Juventus, Milan and Inter but they were our rivals last season and we didn’t lose in games against them."
Mancini added that he was still hopeful of landing the Udinese trio of David Pizarro, Martin Jorgensen and Alberto.
An agreement between the two clubs was reached last week after the capital outfit offered £5m plus Fabio Liverani and Lucas Castroman.
However, the proposed move has hit problems because of Liverani who seemingly doesn’t want to join the Friuli side.
"I’m sure that we will be able to sign a number of players that we are interested in. Negotiations that are currently on hold will be resolved," he stated.
"I’ve spoken to Liverani. It is a difficult situation but we are hopeful that we can reach an agreement with Udinese."
The Sampdoria legend is also confident that Jaap Stam and Bernardo Corradi will be in his first team plans.
"The Dutchman has never told me that he wants to leave. While I spoke to Corradi a week ago and I think he will remain too," he said.
Meanwhile, director general Luca Baraldi has responded to claims by Milan’s Adriano Galliani that they were interested in Stam.
"Galliani wants Stam? Well I want Naomi Campbell," joked Baraldi. "He’s not going anywhere."
This is a huge show of ambition from Mancio, I believe that this will only inspire confidence into our players to do well.