For the first time in its history, Sampdoria has been relegated to Serie C. The difficult season for the once-glorious Blucerchiati concluded on the field in Castellamare di Stabia with a draw that was insufficient for securing direct safety and didn`t even allow them to reach the play-out spots. It was an inglorious end to a season that began poorly and finished even worse, despite initial expectations typical of a top team, fueled by a busy summer transfer window with numerous signings. This ultimately turned into a sporting tragedy, clearly visible in the players` tears on the pitch.
Sampdoria`s season was marked by constant instability, including four managerial changes (Pirlo, Sottil, Semplici, and Evani). The team never managed to find a definitive identity or achieve consistent results. Even the revolution in the winter transfer market, with sporting director Pietro Accardi making numerous moves involving players like Sibilli, Oudin, Cragno, and Altare among others, failed to provide the necessary spark for a turnaround.
There were some brief signs of revival, reflecting the club`s traditional “Doria spirit,” after changes that included the unofficial arrival of Roberto Mancini, with Evani and Lombardo on the bench and Andrea Mancini as sporting director. A victory against Cittadella offered a glimpse of hope. However, subsequent losses away in Carrara and a lackluster home draw against Cremonese quickly dragged Sampdoria back into the lower reaches of the table. A win against Salernitana, a direct rival in the desperate fight for survival, seemed to offer a final ray of light.
Ultimately, it all came down to the final 90 minutes, which proved fatal. The draw in Castellamare di Stabia delivered the final verdict: direct relegation. This outcome was almost unimaginable for a squad with a significant wage bill of 20 million euros and featuring players considered prominent in Serie B like Tutino and Coda. For a club that has won a Serie A title, multiple Coppa Italia trophies, and the Cup Winners` Cup, and has featured champions such as Vialli, Mancini, Cerezo, Gullit, Francis, Souness, Veron, and Seedorf, this represents hitting a historic low point never before experienced.