By Jake Iovine for Destination Calcio

Stefano Marchetti entered his post-game press conference dejected following a 2-0 defeat by Salernitana.

The long-time Cittadella general director had just watched his club suffer relegation to Serie C on the final day of the regular season. He described the feeling as “the worst moment of my career.” 

The Granata’s nine-season stay in Serie B was over following a season in which they scored the fewest goals (30) of all the clubs in the division, lost the most games (19) and stumbled to a 19th-place finish.

Marchetti also sacked a head coach for the first time since being appointed general director in 2005. Edoardo Gorini was shown the door in October, with Alessandro Dal Canto put in charge for the remainder of the season. But he could not rescue the team as they took six points from their final 10 games.

Marchetti knew a change was needed, so he called his former player and club legend Manuel Iori. A new era had began for the Venetian club. 

An inevitable return 

It was only five years ago that Iori held the captain’s armband, playing as a defensive midfielder as Cittadella clinched their fifth Serie B promotion play-off berth in a row.

The 43-year-old leads the all-time club appearance list with 339 games played, helping his side clinch promotion in 2008 and 2015. Following a narrow defeat by Venezia in the 2021 play-off final, Iori hung up his boots and began his coaching career, starting with the Cittadella Primavera.

After two seasons with the reserves he coached brief spells with Sangiuliano City and Sudtirol’s Primavera before getting his first professional gig with Casertana in 2024. But he lasted 19 league games and was sacked with the team sitting in the relegation zone.

However, he was given another chance, and after being rehired with seven games remaining Iori found form and the team stayed up by a single point. 

With Casertana clinching safety, along with Cittadella suffering relegation, it made way for his return to the Tombolato.

“I’ve returned home, but I don’t think I’ve been that far. I’ve had my experiences that led me to this point,” Iori said. “I left the Primavera, aware that I had to take a few beatings. And I’m here today because those beatings did me good.”

Rediscovering Cittadella’s DNA 

Iori has made it clear he wants Cittadella to find their old way again. They finished last season with the worst home record in the league but the rot in form goes back two seasons. They have collected just four home wins since the start of 2024. 

Iori hopes to ignite a fire within the team which will compete in Girone A alongside teams such as Vicenza and Union Brescia. 

“We have to start building a strong soul with a precise identity,” Iori said. “My intention is to build a group with a strong identity with clear ideas and great courage.” 

The arrival of Andrea Barberis could prove vital. An experienced pro with 286 games played across Serie A and Serie B, Barberis is expected to lead the midfield with the long-serving Alessio Vita. 

Defensively, Nicola Pavan and Alessandro Salvi, who have more than 350 games for the club between them, could play an important role on the field with their experience. 

Striker Davide Diaw made limited impact last season, failing to score while struggling to find match fitness after re-signing in January. This season the 33-year-old is aiming for consistency and reaching double-digit goals for the first time since the 2022-23 season. Newcomer Emanuele Anastasia is also expected to lead the attack following a nine-goal and five-assist campaign with Trento.

When the ball rolls in August, it will mark the first time in 10 years that Cittadella plays in a league not named Serie B. But despite the recent lows, Iori hopes to start a rebirth at the club he calls home. 

“Experience has led me to believe that anything is possible,” he said. “But if there isn’t a strong group behind you, it’s more difficult to achieve what you want.”