Sad end! Sampdoria relegated to Serie C, once won the title in the elite

2025-05-14 15:02:00, Sport CNA

Sampdoria have been officially relegated to Serie C for the first time in their 78-year history. The Genoa club finished the season in 18th place in Serie B after a goalless draw away to Juve Stabia on the final weekend of the season, a result that left them one point behind Salernitana, who secured a place in the relegation play-offs thanks to a 2-0 win over Cittadella.

After being relegated from Serie A at the end of the 2022–23 season, Sampdoria failed to return to the top flight of Italian football. Coach Andrea Pirlo, appointed in June 2023, failed to secure promotion through the play-offs, where the team was eliminated. At the time, Pirlo was publicly praised by the board as a central part of the club's long-term project. However, just three weeks into the 2024–25 season, with Sampdoria recording two defeats and one draw, he was dismissed.

Andrea Sottil was appointed as Pirlo's successor and made a positive start with a Coppa Italia victory over local rivals Genoa in what was the first Derby della Lanterna in two years. However, results in the league fell short of expectations, with only four wins in 14 matches. As a result, he too was sacked in October 2024 and replaced by Leonardo Semplici.

The team's performance did not improve under Semplici. A 3–0 home defeat to Frosinone in late March marked a turning point in the relationship between the coach and the fans. After the match at the Luigi Ferraris stadium, the team bus was attacked by a group of angry fans, who threw stones and fireworks at the team. Following this incident, Semplici was dismissed in April.

Alberico Evani was appointed as the fourth coach for the season, with the aim of avoiding relegation. His staff included former club legend Attilio Lombardo as assistant, as well as Roberto Mancini in an advisory role. Evani started with a narrow win over Cittadella, a direct opponent for survival, giving positive early signs. However, further results were not enough: only another win, three draws and one defeat in the remaining matches did not help the club avoid relegation.

The relegation to Serie C is a historic and negative moment for Sampdoria, a club with an important past in Italian football, including the Serie A championship title won in 1991.