According to reports, Sampdoria officially dropped to Serie C after a draw against Juve Stabia. The team, which won Serie A in 1991 under coach Vujadin Boškov—now an eternal symbol for Sampdoria fans—is now in an unimaginable situation. Players like Lombardo, Vialli, and Mancini, who were part of the club’s golden era, could not prevent this disaster. What led to this catastrophic downfall, and what lies ahead for the team?

The Decline of Sampdoria’s Magic

Sampdoria’s golden era in the 1990s, marked by their Serie A triumph in 1991 and stars like Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini, reached its peak under Boškov’s fatherly leadership. Even after Boškov’s departure and Sven-Göran Eriksson’s arrival, the club continued to achieve success, including Coppa Italia victories and Supercoppa Italiana finals. However, Mancini’s departure marked the end of the golden era, and the decline began.

In the summer of 1999, after 17 consecutive seasons in Serie A, Sampdoria was relegated to Serie B. Ricardo Sá Pinto’s arrival in 2003, under Walter Novellino, brought the team back to Serie A, with notable achievements like the 2009 Coppa Italia final and Champions League qualifications. But another relegation in 2011, financial troubles, and Massimo Ferrero’s controversial takeover in 2014 sealed the club’s fate.

Ferrero, the Extremist President, and the Beginning of the End

Massimo Ferrero, a polarizing figure, was initially welcomed by fans. However, his erratic management and growing financial troubles pushed the club into crisis. Attempts by Gianluca Vialli to buy the club failed, and Ferrero was eventually arrested on serious financial charges. This marked the beginning of the collapse.

Ferrero resigned, and in 2023, Sampdoria was relegated again to Serie B. Marco Lanna, a player from the 1991 title-winning team, took temporary charge, but the club was on the verge of bankruptcy. In May 2023, Matteo Manfredi and Andrea Radrizzani took control, but their efforts were not enough. The first season in Serie B started with a points deduction, and the second season—despite high hopes for promotion—ended in disaster. Sampdoria, against all expectations, fell to the third tier.

Future Prospects: Dark and Full of Questions

The situation is dire. An Asian investor has promised new financial injections, crucial for the club’s survival after over €100 million was already invested. But a complete rebuild is necessary. The squad, club structure, and expenses must be reevaluated. Player wages, which were around €20 million in Serie B, must be cut by 75% due to plummeting TV and ticket revenues.

This downsizing will be painful. Fans, who still cherish memories of the golden era, face an uncertain future. The name and history of Sampdoria remain valuable, but the current reality is a nightmare few could have imagined. Can the team rise again? The answer depends on several factors: smart management, attracting quality players on a limited budget, and fan support. For now, Sampdoria is in darkness, its future filled with unanswered questions. Thirty-three years have passed since that heartbreaking final against Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona at Wembley, and nothing remains of the beloved Sampdoria but memories.