looks like it will be Allegri - I just want this thing over and done. We need to move on.

I agree that Allegri seems better now but mostly I want this to be as soon as possible.

Lazio Target Davide Ballardini Not Resigning Palermo Post
The tactician insists he never announced his resignation and has no intention of walking away.
Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini revealed after the Rosanero’s last game of the Serie A season that coach Davide Ballardini had communicated his decision to quit the club.

The Sicilians’ went on to hire former Catania boss Walter Zenga last week, but Ballardini has painted a different picture in an interview with the Giornale di Sicilia.

“I just brought to the President’s attention that the man comes before the tactician,” he stated.

“And I did not approve of some of his insults and public statements. Respect comes before anything else. I never uttered the word ‘resignation’ and should I receive their letter, I don’t see why I should step down.

“I am where I was ten days ago. I haven’t heard from the club. If anything, it’s the President who moved way forward by announcing Zenga’s appointment.”

Zamparini often belittled the coach for his tactical choices during the season, despite the Rosanero narrowly missing out on a place in Europe.

Ballardini is now said to be in talks to take over from Delio Rossi at Lazio, but he has rejected press speculation.

“I have not held meetings with other clubs. I am on holiday…” he concluded.

Career

[edit] Playing

Ballardini spent seven years as a player with Cesena, under youth team coach Arrigo Sacchi and first team coach Osvaldo Bagnoli, which are often cited by him as his personal mentors.

[edit] Coaching

Ballardini started his coaching career serving as youth team coach for Bologna, and successively Cesena and AC Milan. He then worked as Parma under-19 youth team coach from 2002 to 2004. He was then appointed by Sambenedettese as new head coach for the 2004–2005 season, ended with an impressive fourth place and the consequent participation in the promotion playoffs, then lost to Napoli in the semi-final. He was subsequently chosen by Massimo Cellino as new Cagliari boss for their 2005–06 Serie A campaign, being however sacked only a few weeks later, on November 11, and replaced by Nedo Sonetti.

Ballardini started the 2006–07 season at the helm of Serie B side Pescara, where he however lasted only until October, following a very unimpressive beginning in the league. He was surprisingly announced as new boss of last-placed Serie A team Cagliari on December 27, 2007, succeeding Sonetti, who ironically replaced him during his first period at the helm of the Sardinian side. Under his tenure as head coach, Cagliari dramatically improved their results, winning 32 points in 21 weeks, thus rising up the table and managing to escape relegation in advance of a week. However, Ballardini failed to find an agreement with Cagliari chairman Massimo Cellino for a contract extension, and they ultimately decided to part company on May 28.

On September 4, 2008 Palermo announced to have dismissed head coach Stefano Colantuono, appointing Ballardini as new rosanero boss in a one-year contract.In his debut match with Palermo, Ballardini led the Sicilians to a very impressive 3–1 home win to AS Roma, and then went on to impose the first seasonal loss to Juventus, winning 2–1 in Turin, this being the first time Palermo won at Juventus' home in 47 years. His ability to recover Palermo, leading them to the top league positions, was quickly praised once again by the media. On October 7, just two days after the rosanero triumph in Turin, Palermo announced to have agreed a two-year contract extension with Davide Ballardini.

After weeks of rumours regarding a possible departure of Ballardini from Palermo at the end of the season, on May 30 the rosanero head coach announced he had agreed for a 10-day period to give a definite answer to the club regarding his intentions. Later that day, Palermo chairman Maurizio Zamparini announced Ballardini had asked to remove him from managerial duties due to his unwillingness to keep on serving as Palermo head coach. A few days later, on June 5, Palermo unveiled Walter Zenga as new head coach, thus ending speculation regarding Ballardini's future with the rosanero. Despite being dismissed as head coach following these events, Ballardini is however still under a contract for two more years with the Sicilian club.

Playing career

Mazzarri, a midfielder and a product of Fiorentina's youth system, made his professional debut in 1981 for Pescara of Serie B, and played a short Serie A stint in Cagliari the following season, before being sold to Reggiana. He had his longest time in a team where at Empoli, participating to the first Serie A promotion for the Tuscanian side. After several experiences mostly with Serie C teams, Mazzarri ended his playing career in 1995 with Sassari Torres.

Managing career

Mazzarri started his managing career as Renzo Ulivieri's assistant coach for Napoli in 1998. His first first team experience came in 2001/2002 for Sicilian Serie C2 team Acireale, where he already worked as a footballer from 1992 to 1994. Successively, he returned in his native Tuscany to coach Pistoiese of Serie C1 in 2002/2003 and Livorno of Serie B in 2003/2004, bringing the amaranto led by Cristiano Lucarelli back in Serie A. He served as coach of Reggina from 2004 to 2007, leading the Calabrian side to three consecutive savings, the latter being particularly impressive, as obtained in the final Serie A day of the season despite a 11 points deduction. On May 31, 2007 he was announced as new Sampdoria coach, on 31 May 2009 the Coach has announced he is leaving Sampdoria in accordance with the club officials and through contractual termination.

Non of the above has Europe experience, everybody has managed in Serie a few years and for me aren't the choices for bringing Lazio one level up as Lotito said but everybody knows Lotito is full with BS and will chose the most cheap option. Only Zenga stand out but he has gone to Palermo.
For now Mazzari (btw he was coach to Livorno for one season)  is without club, Calgiari don't give Allegri and is certain that Ballardini is the only one left. The fact that Ballardini will resign at the time Lotito will present the new coach tells me something. I pray that we won't stuck with loser few more seasons.

Report: Davide Ballardini To Sign For Lazio On Monday
The tactician has finally rescinded his contract with Palermo and looks set to take over at Lazio tomorrow...
14 Jun 2009 11:41:18
Davide Ballardini, Palermo (Grazia Neri)
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Davide Ballardini and Palermo officially severed their ties yesterday after a lengthy wrangle and Il Messaggero newspaper today claims he could be formally unveiled as the new Lazio boss on Monday.

After initially denying links with the Biancocelesti, Ballardini yesterday admitted to having been in touch with the capital club’s director of sport, Igli Tare.

It is suggested that Ballardini will be in Rome tomorrow to put pen to paper on a two-year deal with an option for a further season, before being unveiled to the press sometime next week.

Ballardini has established himself as one of the best young tacticians in Italy over the past two seasons, managing to save a seemingly doomed Cagliari from relegation in 2008 and narrowly missing out on a place in Europe with Palermo last season.

Lazio will begin their summer preparations ahead of the new campaign in Auronzo di Cadore on July 10 and their first official outing will be the Italian Super Cup final against Serie A champions Inter on August 8 in Beijing.

Vince Masiello, Goal.com


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I think hes a solid coach, done well at Palermo and lead to a victory over Milan in the league and a very impressive road draw with Inter this season. Hopefully now we can begin our mercato in ernest. For gods sake Lotito, lets have a bit more imputus in the transfer action.