D’Aversa: ‘I’m proud and enthusiastic’

Sampdoria coach Roberto D’Aversa said there’s a ‘sense of responsibility’ as he returns ‘as a coach to a team where I have been as a player’.

The Blucerchiati went with D’Aversa to replace successful Claudio Ranieri, who guided Samp to ninth in Serie A last term.

One week ahead of the new League campaign, the new coach spoke to the press and revealed he can sense the pressure ahead of his new chapter in Liguria.

“I have the enthusiasm of the first day,” he said at a press conference. “It’s the first day of school in a club that I have always considered as important.

“I return as a coach to a team where I have been as a player. There’s also a sense of responsibility, it’s one thing to be a coach and one thing to be a player.

“In addition to being proud, I have a lot of enthusiasm, I hope it can be a year full of satisfactions.”

Sampdoria start the new season with a home game against Alessandria in the Coppa Italia on Monday, before hosting Milan at the Marassi in Serie A on August 23.