First the lightning, with the rumors of resignation more and more concrete, then the thunder, that those rumors have transformed them into reality: Daniele Conti leaves Cagliari, abandoning his role as technical coordinator of the Primavera and every other position in the club of his heart . He does it in silence, without any declaration, but also the captain's silence forever makes noise. Because a 23-year long history, with the brief interruption of a year after the farewell to football played, even then painful and after a relegation, comes to an end. Even if Cagliari and, perhaps, Conti himself hope that those roads, one day and not too far away, will be able to rejoin.

Genesis of a choice

These were days of reflection for Conti. Who suffered first from the relegation of Cagliari, experienced from the bench, and then from the divorce from his friend of a thousand battles Alessandro Agostini. A divorce that has shaken to the root of a long-term friendship, because that farewell, but above all the ways of farewell, are certainly not liked by Ago. Conti, in the interview with L'Unione Sarda , had taken responsibility for the decision. "I had already decided to change in April". But that choice sparked a thousand controversies, even among the fans, who injured the former captain. That he can accept anything, except insinuations about his moral integrity. A deep wound that hasn't stopped bleeding for days. Conti began to meditate on a possible farewell, despite continuing his work as the technical coordinator of the Primavera, with the choice of Filippi for the bench and the call of Pisano for the role of deputy. Then, Monday night the tear. Conti, after discussing with his family and the company, decided to take the plunge, sending the club an email announcing his resignation. Irrevocable. Useless attempts, in the night, to make him change his mind. Because Conti, having decided, could no longer go back.

The press release

After yet another failed attempt, Cagliari and president Giulini surrendered. And, in the early afternoon, the statement that no rossoblù fan would have liked to read: "Cagliari Calcio announces that Daniele Conti resigned yesterday as technical coordinator of the Primavera". The club recalled: «Since 2016, after wearing the Cagliari shirt for 16 years, Conti has joined the Technical Area of the Club. His human qualities, combined with experience and a strong sense of belonging to the rossoblù colors, have been a precious resource, in particular in the discovery, growth and enhancement of young people, who have seen in him an authentic guide ». The closing is a wish: «The Club therefore welcomes with regret his resignation, sudden and dictated by personal reasons, and in expressing his heartfelt thanks for what he has done in recent years, hopes to be able to work together again in the future».

Waiting for Makoumbou

And for the near future, sports director Stefano Capozucca continues to work. Which today will follow the Champions League preliminaries challenge between the Belarusians of Soligorsk and the Slovenians of Maribor, where the next rossoblù Antoine Makoumbou plays. The Congolese, born in '98, will be on the field in tonight's match as agreed to try to get through the first round, but then he will reach Cagliari, where medical examinations and a four-year contract await him. And Joao Pedro is waiting to know his future too. Yesterday four goals in the friendly against the amateur team, while Galatasaray, after the long push and pull, began to follow with greater insistence the track that leads to the Spaniard of Leeds Rodrigo. Turin remains in the background, the only real alternative, for the moment, to the Turks.

Alberto Masu

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