Former Leeds United sporting director Nicola Salerno insists he still has strong bond with Massimo Cellino.
When Massimo Cellino took over at Leeds United in 2014, Nicola Salerno came with him as a trusty lieutenant.
Salerno was Cellino’s old sporting director at Cagliari, and he was appointed in the same role at Leeds United.
The Italian was responsible for numerous signings, including the disasters which were Granddi Ngoyi and Edgar Cani, but there have been gems too, specifically Gaetano Berardi.
Salerno took the flak for the disaster which saw ex-head coach Neil Redfearn’s assistant Steve Thompson removed from his role, even though he simply seemed like a fall guy.
He left his role at Leeds two months later, spending time working for Watford, and most recently taking up a role with Cagliari.
Yet despite an at times fraught relationship with Cellino, Salerno says he would be open to working with him again – but don’t expect it to be at Leeds.
He told MediaGol: “What is the relationship with Cellino? So many ups and downs, but we are bound by a deep friendship.
“When he called me at Leeds, I said yes without thinking twice. If Cellino calls me to start over with Brescia? I have a contract with Palermo and I intend to respect it. Then we’ll see.”
Cellino sold 50 per cent of his Leeds stake in January, and rumours have circulated that he could make a return to Italian football with Serie B side Brescia.
The Yorkshire Evening Post reported that Brescia denied knowledge of this last month, but Salerno evidently is not so sure.
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