Gilardino: “My future? Nothing has been defined yet’

Alberto Gilardino says there’s no clarity on his future with Genoa, but he’s given his availability to the club. The Rossoblu have enjoyed a solid season under Gilardino, prompting speculation around his future, leading to the inevitable links with other Serie A sides. Speaking ahead of the match against Frosinone, Gilardino insisted he is just focused on the season in hand, but has briefly spoken with the club about the future:

“We will have to take the field with the right motivations. It will require a lot of heart, as well as the head and legs being important. Watch out for Soulè because he is a player who shifts the balance. I expect some tactical changes from them, but we must focus on ourselves.”

Regarding the appointment to discuss the future with Genoa: “Regarding this aspect, I am very straightforward. I am with the boys, and I want to be with you and everyone listening: I have been talking with the club and the sports director for a year and a half, there is a relationship of brief chats and words regarding technical and team aspects. We meet and talk. At the moment, there is no fixed appointment, but I have shown my availability, and this must be clear to everyone when sitting down to talk. My thought and that of my entire staff, what I convey to my players every day, is that we must finish in the best way possible. We must raise the bar in terms of technical, mental, and physical aspects; we must be demanding with ourselves. I am proud and happy to coach these players; I truly say this from the heart.”

Finally, regarding the news in recent days about possible players leaving Genoa in the summer, Gilardino stated: “Regarding the aspect of news and the transfer market, you are better than me, and you know football for many years as I do. It is normal that if a coach or a player is nearing the end of a contract, there are rumors and there are newspapers and journalists who speak positively. It’s natural; it’s football, and it’s also natural for the path we are taking and that the team is taking. An important aspect, even when I sit down with the club, will be the technical aspect: it is fundamental and decisive. I want to and will naturally understand what the objectives of the club are for departures and arrivals. This is clear.”