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Hello. Long time reader, first time story-teller.

I will be depicting the mixed fortunes of lowly underachievers, Empoli F.C. A football club based in a small town within the Tuscany region of Italy. Empoli F.C. is renowned for it's youth academy, considered one of the most proficient in Italy, but to date, the club has never won a major honour. Empoli has struggled to restore stability, as the club has bounced between the top 3 divisions in the last 25 years. Most recently, Empoli won promotion to Serie A in 2013-14 after finishing 2nd in Serie B behind Palermo, earning automatic promotion.

Despite being based in a small comune, Empoli F.C. benefit from a very passionate and vocal support, though the loyalty of the support has been tested during the club's recent period of instability. During the 2013-14 seasons, Empoli were forced to play two Serie B games behind closed doors due to the club's supporters being punished for violent and discriminatory behavior. In a hotly contested fixture against promotion rivals Cesena, fans clashed both inside and outside Stadio Carlo Castellani. 3 supporters of Empoli were also arrested within the stadium for alleged racist abuse directed at two Cesena players. Federcalcio punished Empoli sanctioning a £250,000 fine, with two Serie B fixtures to be played behind closed doors in the Stadio Carlo Castellani.

Empoli F.C. and its supporters will be hoping their most recent promotion to Italy's top flight will assist the club to stabilise its finances and status, though a hard-fought relegation battle should be expected in the club's return to Serie A.

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Empoli F.C. owner/chairman and wealthy entrepreneur, Fabrizio Corsi, has been arrested on corruption charges by Tuscany police in the early hours of this afternoon.

Fabrizio Corsi is accused of embezzlement connected to the procurement of Empoli F.C. financing and infrastructure, which has been headed since April 2011. The embezzlement is predicted to surpassed a value of over £18million. Corsi's Director of Football at Empoli F.C, Luca Giovinco, has also been detained and has been alleged to be linked to further fraudulent activity within the club.

Empoli F.C. have refused to comment at present, though the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have issued Empoli F.C. a deadline to confirm the status of the club's presidential administration and ownership by the end of next week. The possibility of relegation to Serie C1 will be imposed on the Tuscany club with immediate effect if the situation remains unresolved and if Fabrizio Corsi is found guilty of fraudulent activity.

"Without Mr Corsi as the financial beneficiary of Empoli F.C. I can only predict the club will be forced into administration." FIGC President, Carlo Tavecchio commented

"I cannot confirm that, but we believe the club will not be able to operate unless the club is sold in the very near future." Tavecchio added.

"The supporters are the victims in all of this. Empoli F.C. benefited from a successful promotion campaign last season. It would be a great shame if the club succumbs to administration and the penalisations which automatically follow."


"And as with any corruption case, if Mr Corsi is found guilty of any wrongdoing, we would be looking at relegation, unless the football club can take the ownership of the business away from Mr Corsi. But these are complex matters."

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Empoli F.C. head coach, Maurizio Sarri, has stated his discontent at the activity surrounding the club this week. This comes only 2 days after the club's chairman, Fabrizio Corsi, was arrested on alleged corruption charges which has potentially left the club with an incredibly uncertain immediate future.

It is unknown as to whether or not Empoli will be in a position to comply with Serie A regulations and be allowed to compete in the domestic league season.

"I don't know what will happen to the club this week" Sarri told La Stampa.

"Player contracts have begun to be terminated, to alleviate any possible difficulty which would be faced by administration - if it comes to that!"

"Pre-season starts in 4 weeks. Will I even have a squad? Will I even have 11 players I can put on the field? I have no idea."

"The supporters are undeserving of this predicament, but I am sure you can understand - the players want to distance themselves from this. If I don't want to get caught up in crossfire, then I am thinking that I also must leave."



Maurizio Sarri lead the club to a successful promotion back to Serie A last season, and the Naples-born veteran was optimistic about the coming season.

"Last season was fantastic!" Sarri claimed

"The squad had forged a real togetherness. We were far from favourites to push for promotion, but we pushed aside some strong teams, and it was a great accomplishment. We're all very proud."

"It's damaging that it is looking like we cannot build on that success. This is an enormous disruption."

Empoli F.C's chief executive has refused to comment, but it is believed that the club is set to make a statement later this week regarding Fabrizio Corsi.

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In light of recent proceedings involving Empoli F.C. chairman, Fabrizio Corsi, the Tuscany club has released the majority of it's first team squad. The playing staff have requested mutual termination of their contracts with the club in an effort to distance themselves from the actvity surrounding Corsi and Empoli. The club has honoured all mutual termination requests, leaving Empoli F.C. with no first team squad.

It is expected that head coach, Maurizio Sarri, will tender his resignation in the next 24 hours.

The club's chief executive, Daniele Bortoletto, has confirmed the ongoing contractual terminations with the playing staff.

"The agents of our first team players have requested to have their contracts torn up." Bortoletto stated.

"In light of the ongoing investigations, we are in a position where these requests will be honoured. The players can not be dragged into this predicament. Empoli F.C may not be in a position to play competitive football in the coming season. The players need to continue with their careers and we want what is best for them."

"Fabrizio Corsi is to have all ties severed with the football club. Current head coach, Maurizio Sarri, is predicted to resign by the end of the day. We will take each step as it comes."


FIGC president, Carlo Tavecchio, has backed the club to act quickly in this difficult circumstance.

"As disappointing as the current predicament has been, we want Empoli in this season's Serie A. They must act quickly to ensure this." Tavecchio commented.

"We don't know what the outcome of Mr Corsi's case will be, but he is currently in the custody of law enforcement. These are complicated matters and could take months, or even years to resolve. For the sake of the football club, this must be put to one side."

"The club must act with haste by putting the ownership of the club into the hands of a fit and proper person. That is the first step, and if done promptly, administration can be avoided. I cannot comment on the playing staff. That is an internal matter."


Empoli F.C. have until July 31st to relieve Fabrizio Corsi of his presidential duties and elect a new chairman. Italian Football's governing body, FIGC, have confirmed they will be willing to allow Empoli F.C. an extension on securing the sale of the club so long as the new chairman is in place by the deadline.

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Empoli F.C. have confirmed the resignation of head coach, Maurizio Sarri, who tendered his resignation this morning, effective immediately. This leaves the controversy-stricken club without a first team squad or a head coach.

"The club will make no further comment at this time. We wish Maurizio the best as he continues his career, and we wish for him to not be dragged into this situation." stated Empoli's chief executive, Daniele Bortoletto.

The club has refused to comment further, and has remained profusely private during ongoing investigations and imminent prosecution of the football club's chairman and owner, Fabrizio Corsi.

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Former Italy international, Antonio Di Natale, has stated his disappointment of the situation of his former club. Di Natale, 37, came through Empoli's famed youth academy, and went on to make 178 appearances for the Tuscany club, scoring 55 goals.

"It is heartbreaking to see the club in such turmoil." Antonio told Radio Onde Furlane 900.

"It is where I grew up, and it is where I was born as a footballer. I have always had a desire to go back, but the circumstances were never right."

"The club is so isolated right now. The governing bodies, clubs and players are distancing themselves from Empoli, and it's impossible to see where a helping hand will come from. They desperately need it!"

When asked if he would consider returning in some capacity, Di Natale responded "I couldn't possibly say. I am a Udinese player. Another club that is very dear to me. But I don't know what Andrea [Stramaccioni] is planning for the coming season. Does he see me in the starting 11? I don't know."

"I have no more than two years left playing football. I need to be in the frame. I need to be needed. Who needs me? I cannot say at present."

Di Natale's interview has sparked rife rumours that a return to Empoli is imminent. Serie A expert, James Richardson, believes a player-coach deal has already been agreed.

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"All that's left is to cross the T's and dot the I's" Richardson told BT Sport's European Football Show.

"Antonio Di Natale had a clause in his contract, allowing him to mutually terminate the final year of his contract, which he has chosen to activate. He wants to return to Empoli. He feels great empathy for the club's position, and he feels he owes them a helping hand in return for spring-boarding his career."

"I believe the appointment should be consolidated in the next 48 hours. Toto will definitely not be in Udine in the coming season."

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Former Italy and Udinese striker, Antonio Di Natale, has been unveiled by Empoli F.C. to undertake a player/coach role for the 2014-15 season, the club has confirmed.

Di Natale, 37, took his seat infront of the press this morning looking a little flustered, who immediately queried his decision to undertake what appears to be a mountainous job at a club struggling for stability, and also survival.

"I heard the news, as we all did, about Mr Corsi. Its news like that which rips your heart out." Di Natale stated.

"I felt deflated and angry. The fans have been through hell and back this week, and those in charge needed to act quickly."

"I felt an enormous amount of empathy. I wanted to help, but didn't know how. My agent enquired about a return to Empoli, and we were all able to thrash out a deal very quickly. I am here, but there's no smile on my face yet. The job is huge. Is it one I am ready for? Who can say? But nobody else put their hand up and volunteered."

"It is a very surreal circumstance. I arrived at the club as a player and as a coach, yet I have no players, no team mates, no colleagues. The first step is to re-build."

"I shall not divulge the financial position of the club so publicly, but we have very fine margins to work within. We need to piece together a team to comply with the regulations. The U20 and the U18 brackets are in okay shape. It will be difficult to promote from within because numbers are still low. We hope clubs can lend a helping hand on the loan market. Outwith that, we are looking at the bosman market."

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"Pre-season starts shortly. I have a short amount of time to gather players. We can take youngsters if we need, but we need to have 17 or 18 players signed up to the first team before Serie A kicks off. All hands on deck."

The Naples-born striker ended the press conference politely yet abruptly, as you would expect of a man in desperate need of footballers.

"Now if you will excuse me. I am sure you all have a lot of questions, and I am sorry I cannot answer them today, but I have a lot of telephone calls to make!"

Di Natale's side are expected to face Scottish Premier League outfit Dundee United on 31st July in what will be their opening pre-season fixture.

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Empoli's difficulties look set to continue as newly appointed head coach, Antonio Di Natale, has today confirmed that the club cannot comply with match day regulations of their upcoming pre-season friendlies, due to a shortage of numbers in the playing staff.

The club were set to travel to the north-east of Scotland to face Dundee United in a pre-season friendly, but this fixture, as well as subsequent fixtures, have had to be cancelled.

"We have only 9 first team players. 10 if you include me, but I am 37. I don't know how many times I'll be picking myself in the coming season." Di Natale stated in his weekly press conference.

"That sounds bad, but this time last week, we had zero players. Ten thousand phone calls later, and we now have 9. We're gradually getting there. This fixture just came too soon."

"Pre-season isn't so important right now. Not as important as survival. We are training hard, playing very competitive games behind closed doors, and we will be in good shape for the season. But unfortunately, we can't get a pre-season under the belts of the squad."

"Some clubs have reacted sympathetically to our situation, and we have acquired a fair number of players on season-long loan deals. We have managed to bring in a number of exciting young players who may be the stars of the future. We hope to give them a good football education here, expose them to a high level of football, and who knows? Perhaps in a years time, we might be able to keep hold of one or two of them!"


Ajax starlet, Riechedly Bazoer (above) is one of Empoli's most exciting acquisitions this summer. The Utrecht-born midfielder is very highly rated by club and country, and also Antonio Di Natale.

"We were very pleased to have finalised a deal for Riechedly. They are mad about him over in Amsterdam. My good friend, Frank De Boer, is certain he will be one of the top 5 players in the world in the next 10 years, so we are very privileged to have him here for a year."

"He is only 18, so we have to be careful with him. He is still developing mentally and physically. We want to expose him to a good level of football, but we don't want to burn him out. I have promised Frank I will take good care of him."


Riechedly Bazoer is likely to be partnered in midfield by another young prospect, Nathaniel Chalobah (above). The England U21 international was set to join Burnley on loan, though the deal fell through at the final hurdle. It is believed Di Natale made contact with Jose Mourinho directly and pinched him from Burnley's grasp.

"My agent was able to connect me with 'The Special One' himself." Di Natale claimed.

"Jose was a little apprehensive about a young player going abroad, but after a little pleading, I was able to persuade him that Nathaniel would be in the right hands."

"Nathaniel is a big strong boy and a tough tackler. Again, he is very young, so we have to be careful, but with him and Riechedly in the middle of the park, we won't get bossed around too often."

Empoli F.C Summer 2014 acquisitions:
Goran Blazevic - Released from Torpedo Moscow - Free
Patrick van Aanholt - Sunderland - Loan
Michele Somma - AS Roma - Loan
Daniele Rugani - Juventus - Loan
Marcello Gazzola - Released from Sassuolo - Free
Mats Moller Daehli - Freiburg - Loan
Riechedly Bazoer - Ajax - Loan
Nathaniel Chalobah - Chelsea - Loan
Pione Sisto - FC Midtjylland - Loan
Antonio Di Natale - Released from Udinese - Player/Coach

Empoli have expectedly been busy recruiting players in the past week, though the currently squad still falls 8 players short of Serie A.

"We're half way there. Agents are on red alert. We need players. My phone is probably ringing as we speak." Di Natale stated.

"Another handful of players, and we will be ready to compete. Seeing the quality we were capable of bringing in this week, I am confident we can avoid relegation, if we can bring in a few more of a similar quality."

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Former Italy international, Antonio Cassano, has publicly backed his former international team-mate, Antonio Di Natale, for managerial success.

"He has everything it takes to be a great manager, of that I am certain." stated the former Roma frontman.

"His personality is infectious. It rubs off on you. He gives his all, and it makes you want to give your all as well. He is a very good, close friend of mine, and I am desperate to see him succeed"

"Toto has returned to his boyhood club, and he has taken an enormous pay cut to take on such a monumental job. It seems like he has effectively taken the responsibility of the club on the chin."

"He had nothing to do with the club's difficult situation, but he was the only one who stepped up and took the lead. I have such an enormous amount of respect for that."


When asked if he [Antonio Cassano] could be persuaded to re-join his former international team mate at Empoli, the Bari-born striker responded in a coy manner.

"I loved linking up with him for the national side. We never got the opportunity to share similar moments at club level. I've played at a lot of clubs, but never Udinese."

"I am currently a free agent. My agent is taking care of that side of things for me. He is in contact with a number of clubs all over Europe. I don't know what will happen."

Cassano, 32, has been without a club since being released by Parma due to unpaid wages. He has been linked with a return to Sampdoria, and also a move to La Liga champions, Atletico Madrid.

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Antonio Di Natale makes his managerial bow with a routine 2-0 win against Serie B outfit Brescia. Empoli controlled the majority of the game, and Brescia posed little threat. Di Natale gave himself a start, playing a central role in a direct 4-4-1-1 formation.

Sisto opened the scoring just before half time, with a half volley at the back post from a superbly floated cross fron van Aanholt. Sisto then rounded off a brace with a sublime solo effort, jinking his way from the half way line, before lashing the ball into the far corner from 20 yards.

Di Natale's men had a brief scare when it appeared that Michele Somma had handled the ball in the box on the 80th minute. Brescia pleaded furiously with the referee, but no penalty was awarded.

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Empoli survived a second half onslaught from Inter, after an explosive first half display. Player/coach Antonio Di Natale made his first league start for Empoli in his 2nd spell at the club, scoring a first half hat trick. Somma netted from close range to take in a 4-0 lead at half time. Inter threw the kitchen sink at a stubborn Empoli defence in the 2nd half, but left it too late to equal the score.

Di Natale won his side a penalty after debutant, Nemanja Vidic, hauled the former Udinese frontman down by his shirt. Di Natale dispatched the penalty emphatically, blasting into the roof of the net. He notched a second goal 10 minutes later, latching onto a Bazoer through-pass from the half way line, before placing the ball under a stranded Handanovic. Michele Somma, on loan from Roma, put Empoli 3 goals for the good with a close range header from Sisto's floated corner kick. Di Natale completed his hat trick, with a curlced effort from the edge of the area, rounding off a penetrative spell of possession for the home side.

The momentum shifted in the 2nd half, as Roberto Mancini's men dominated proceedings. Inter forced fine saves from Blazevic before Podolski finally broke the deadlock with a trademark left footed thunderbolt from just inside the 18 yard box. The former-Arsenal man quickly grabbed a second goal after expertly controlling a lofted through pass before rifling the ball low and hard into the bottom corner.


Empoli continued to defend resiliently until a scrappy set-piece was bundled in by the head of Nemanja Vidic, after Rugani failed to clear his lines.

Empoli managed to see out the 3 minutes of stoppage time to take a vital 3 points in what was an explosive curtain raiser.

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It was a busy day in Serie A on Transfer Deadline Day. A fairly quiet day had been predicted by the bookmakers, though a last-minute move for Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci by Chelsea came as quite a shock, leaving no time for Allegri to sought a replacement for the commanding and experienced centre back.

Here were the biggest deals of the day inolving Serie A sides, both in and outbound:

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Leonardo Bonucci - Juventus to Chelsea for £16.75m

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Yuto Nagatomo - Inter to PSG for £7.5m

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Nicolas N'Koulou - Marseille to Juventus for £6.75m

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Simon Klaer - Lille to Lazio for £5m

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Miguel Veloso - Dynamo Kyiv to Milan for £3.9m

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Nigel De Jong - Milan to PSG for £3.6m

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However, the most eyebrow-raising deal of the day came from Empoli, who snatched free agent, Antonio Cassano, from the grasp of Atletico Madrid, who were believed to be have been on the cusp of securing his signature.

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"Fanantonio" and "Toto" - Friends reunited.

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Antonio Cassano and Antonio Di Natale have been friends for many years since linking up with the Italy national team, and it is believed Cassano's relationship with Di Natale is what swayed free agent to snub Diego Simeone's advances and stay in Italy.

Antonio Cassano is to be unveiled by Empoli in the coming days.

Great read so far with very nice graphics! Keep it up!

2015-04-09 18:06#211396 TheTacticalApproach : Great read so far with very nice graphics! Keep it up!

Thankyou for the feedback

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After what was a disrupted and controversial summer, Empoli eventually managed to compile a bare-minimum first team squad of 18 senior players. It was quite an enormous recruitment overhaul, as the Tuscany club started the summer with no manager or first team squad. As we all remember, Empoli chairman and owner is facing criminal investigations, and the contracts of all the first team players were terminated, causing Maurizio Sarri to resign as head coach.

Antonio Di Natale was a compelling and resolute appointment. It is a testament of the man - often dubbed as "the nicest guy in football" - stepping up to face the brunt of the responsibility of Empoli's plight. Naples born, through educated in Empoli and coming through the club's famed academy, Di Natale felt a certain empathy towards the club; an empathy so strong, he requested for his contact with Udinese to be terminated to allow him to make the move to Empoli, and take on any role required. Given the years of service Di Natle had offered Udinese, the club could only oblige.

Toto's presence at Empoli has been quite massive. He has played a big part in Empoli's desperate recruitment drive, making direct contact with players and agents himself. This approach certainly influenced the decision of Antonio Cassano, who had all but signed his name on the dotted line with Diego Simeone's hard-grafting Atletico Madrid side. That was until Toto gave his old friend, Antonio Cassano, a personal call, persuading him to link up with him one last time, at struggling Empoli.



That attack. Elite level experience in front of goal. A great understanding at International level, and two very talented players. If both can perform at the level we know they are capable of, you could realistically argue that Empoli currently possess one of the most potent attacks in Serie A. There's a lot of speed in the side as well. Sisto, Daehli, Van Aanholt and Gazzola will provide a great deal of pace from the wide areas, and they're all capable of a ball to feed the strikers. It could be a very exciting side to watch

The core of the side is very, very young. Bazoer, Chalobah, Somma, Rugani - All very young players with very limited amounts of experience. They will have a great deal of youthful exuberance, but handling pressure comes with experience. Also, Empoli only have an 18 man squad. I'm sure they will bring in one or two of the U18 or U20 to make up numbers due to rotation/injury, but as we all know, strength in depth is a huge factor. They will need to have a lot of luck with fitness and injuries, or they could face difficulties very early on.

If Empoli can get a bit of luck with keeping everyone fit, then I think they will beta the drop. But it is a big ask. Their strike force looks very exciting, but if they can't feed the ball to either of them, it won't matter. They have to be stubborn, get the ball to the wide men and play those drilled crosses which Di Natale and Cassano are so good at dispatching past the goalkeeper. I think they'll do it, with a 15th-17th place finish.