Ciro Immobile Explains How a Managerial Change Prompted His Lazio Exit, Reveals Biggest Regret

The Laziali

·24 Desember 2024

Ciro Immobile Explains How a Managerial Change Prompted His Lazio Exit, Reveals Biggest Regret

Besiktas striker Ciro Immobile looks back on the events that led to his departure from Lazio last summer.

The Background

From the time he emerged from the Juventus youth ranks, the Italian went on to represent a host of clubs, including the likes of Genoa, Torino, Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla. Nevertheless, he only found himself at home during his time at Formello where he dwelled for eight years, cementing himself as the club’s all-time goalscorer.

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New Beginning

The Euro 2020 winner has yet to lose his clinical touch, as evidenced by the 13 goals he scored in his 20 appearances this season. Hence, in a special program produced by Sky Sport Italia titled “The Eagle of Istanbul”, Immobile reveals that he’s enjoying life at Besiktas, although he misses the Biancocelesti faithful dearly (via La Lazio Siamo Noi),

During the journey that took me from Italy to Turkey, I had positive thoughts. I was enthusiastic about the new adventure. I liked the fact that I had to change, but at the same time, I was a bit scared after eight years at Lazio. But in the end, I had the enthusiasm that everyone has when they change teams. I was hungry to start again, to have new stimuli. The Lazio fans loved me madly, and it was reciprocal. but it was becoming a love only for what I had done and not for what I could still give, and this weighed on me a bit. But now, I feel great, this stadium envelops you. The league has a good level. The affection I received when I arrived gave me an incredible boost.

Ciro Immobile Explains What Led Him to Leave Lazio

The former Lazio captain reveals that Maurizio Sarri’s resignation in March and the events that followed played a crucial part in his eventual decision to leave the club the following summer.

After Sarri’s farewell, I went through a really tough period. As captain, I took on responsibilities that I didn’t even think I had. I wasn’t ready and I ended up in a vortex that was bigger than me. I suffered a lot from that. If you’re not clear-headed, your legs don’t function properly and you end up hurting yourself, exactly like what happened to me. All these things led me to decide to leave.

One Big Regret

Nevertheless, Immobile rues the fact he didn’t have the opportunity to bid the Lazio fans farewell on the pitch.

My only regret is not having said goodbye to the fans. Like all stories, there is a beginning and an end, so it would have been nice to be able to share a nice ending together, that doesn’t mean a farewell can’t happen with a smile or with joy. It would have been like a nice farewell between two friends who are taking two different paths. That stuck with me.