If he were an opera star, he would be il divo.  If he were an American sports star, he would be called a prima dona (yes, Americans don’t speak other languages well) and be compared to Terrell Owens or various NBA figures.  If he was a politician, he would rise to stratospheric heights only to quickly fall to the ground.  In brief, il Talentino di Bari is a great calcio talent, but a head case and a pain for his managers.  The story of his temper is, to put it politely, .

And once again, his personality has reared its ugly head.

This week Italian national team manager Marcello Lippi refused to call up Cassano for two friendly matches against the Netherlands and Sweden.  Cassano’s stat line for international matches is not exciting, having not scored a goal since 2004.  However, he has done well for Sampdoria so far this year, notching six assists and a goal for the surprising squad.

But it is likely due to his latest outburst that he is on the outside looking in.  After his team’s 0-0 draw with Bari (his hometown) that saw Sampdoria drop to third in the Serie A standings, Cassano threatened to leave his team after he was booed mercilessly by some of the Sampdoria fans.  "In the past three or four matches the supporters have jeered me at times. Sampdoria are second in the standings and certainly should not be chasing Inter,” he said according to Goal.com.  “I did it in Rome and I also did it in Madrid. If this keeps happening I will pack my suitcases and leave from here."

Surprisingly, that quote did not warm the hearts of Sampdoria faithful.  What may have excited them was the almost immediate report that EPL club West Ham had an interest in him, as fellow Italian Gianfranco Zola is keen on bringing such a talent (and personality) to his club.

To his credit, Sampdoria President Ricardo Garrone has defended Cassano from his fans’ boos and from the exclusion from the Italian national team.  But if Cassano’s goals are to win the scudetto and make the Italian national team, it may be best that he leave this toxic situation.  A transfer to the EPL would probably not work, as he would play for another high-profile club, and that experiment has failed before.

Plus it would remove him from the Italian soccer scene. He would probably be best served on a team with an adoring and uncritical fan base where he could lead the club to European competition qualification.  It would have to be in Italy so he could be right under the nose of the Italian national team.  And he would have to be the biggest name on the club.

Should Cassano play for….Bari?

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West Ham wins at home against Newcastle and that's good news for newly arrived manager Gianfranco Zola. 

Zola was simply beaming with encouragement and praise for his players who helped secure his first home win as manager at the London club. See what else he has to say during the post-match interview.

West Ham vs Newcastle Post Match Interview 

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Over the last 24 hours I've been reading several interesting and amusing headlines including, the predicted signing of Gianfranco Zola as the next Hammer's manager, the possible return of Edgar Davids to Serie A,  Mourinho's Fury regarding his cable bill and Marcello Lippi shuffling the deck for World Cup qualifying.

Gianfranco Zola - labelled as, "one of Chelsea's greatest players ever", by chairman Bates, looks likely to be in London town by Friday as new manager at West Ham United.  His main opposition Slaven Bilic did not wish to leave the Croatian National team until January.  With Michael Landrup on his way to Russia that left Zola and Roberto Donadoni as the only managers standing.

(Slaven will be behind the bench tomorrow as England play Croatia so watch out England, after sending the West Ham interest adrift I'm sure Slaven is going to have his side fully charged)

see: West Ham trim their shortlist down to Zola  and for a short analysis of Gianfranco's career, The Ambassador

Gennaro Gattuso is out for two weeks after a freak accident at the end of the Cyprus - Italy game where he fell into the dugout causing multiple fractures to his left hand. With the AC Milan marshall slash pitbull seated on the sidelines who are we going to watch for that tantalizing midfield battle?  Look no further Edgar Davids (the caveman) is ready to make his return to Serie A.  Genoa President Enrico Preziosi has given the green light to go out and sign Davids the former Ajax/AC Milan /Juventus/Inter/Tottenham journeyman.  This season keeps getting better and better and I've always enjoyed watching Davids win balls while creating disruption amongst the opposition.  see: Genoa prepare Davids deal

Sounds like Jose Mourinho isn't happy with the Cable Guy after having a new service installed in his Milan home. The Special One is reported to have blown his top over billing of €18,600, it seems there was a conversion error and Mourinho was adamant about getting a further correction for his inconvenience. Read more at... Mourinho's TV Fury,  HEY Jose get broadband.

In losing Gennaro Gattuso, Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Gamberini to injury after the Azzurri's last outing, manager Marcello Lippi is definitely feeling a player crisis for the next world cup qualifier Wednesday against Georgia.  What I find most upsetting... Lippi, No Replacements called.

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Roberto Donadoni and former Napoli and Chelsea forward, Gianfranco Zola have made the shortlist for new manager at West Ham United.

What an amazing change of events I can remember not to long ago Italian tactics and methods were despised by the English establishment, now it seems there is a shortage of originality in "the Home Countries" (British Isles) of football and Roman invaders are welcome.

With Fabio Capello already head of the national side, and senior statesman Giovanni Trapattoni coaching the Irish national squad, the ground work for more Italians to coach in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales is being laid.

 News from England reports both Donadoni and Zola have met with the higher-ups at the club and have impressed, especially Zola. Gianfranco is currently joint coach of the Italy Under-21 side and previously plied his trade while at cross-town rivals Chelsea FC in the late 90's. 

The fact that West Ham already have an Italian (Gianluca Nani) as director of football doesn't hurt and is clearly a benefit to both candidates if the club truly desires to move toward a more continental style of management and play.

Two other candidates made the shortlist, Michael Laudrup and Slaven Bilic but I wonder if Roberto Mancini could possibly be that phantom waiting in the wings? Mancini has mentioned an interest to come to England and coach and least we forget there is one additional name that may mysteriously reappear, the infamous Paolo Di Canio who was a West Ham striker from 1999-2003.

Personally I think the Di Canio option is the least likely but one never knows what management is thinking.

Related Articles

UK Guardian - West Ham narrow manager shortlist to four
BBC Sports - Zola & Donadoni impress West Ham

NEWSFLASH - looks like Michael Laudrup is out of the running for the vacant manager's job at West Ham after agreeing to take over at Spartak Moscow. Biliac has also indicated a move by next match day is impossible. Looks very likely an Italian will get the job.

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Rumours of Tiago Mendes leaving Juventus are circulating, after vacating his home in Turin.  The talented Portuguese midfielder was previously linked to both Tottenham and West Ham United of the English Premier League in January of this year. 

Tiago, who is a regular in the national team, spent one season at Chelsea after Jose Mourinho took him from Benfica and he played a substantial part in the Premier League winning season of 2004-05, making 34 appearances.

Things have not been as bright in Italy after the 13 million euro transfer from French side Lyon. Manager Claudio Ranieri has played the Portuguese sparingly and Goal.com described Tiago in his first term as, the third biggest flop of the season.  Missing a penalty Tuesday evening during the Trofeo TIM against AC Milan hasn't improved the player's situation. 

References:

1. Football Italia - Tiago vacates Turin home
2. UK Telegraph - Tottenham line up bid for Tiago Mendes
3. FIFA.com - Juventus sign Tiago and Almiron 
4. Goal.com - Calcio Debate: Serie A Awards

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