Bari’s Marino: ‘Toughest Challenge of My Career’ – Rastelli Demands Immediate Wins

New sporting director Pierpaolo Marino and coach Massimo Rastelli unveiled their vision in a press conference: transparency, ambition, and rebuilding after relegation to Serie C. Marino: «We won’t keep anyone who doesn’t honor Bari’s shirt».

What’s Marino’s Challenge?

Marino, facing a «cold» environment but aware of the fans’ passion, called this «the toughest challenge of my career». Bari, currently 17th in Serie B with 40 points (10W-10D-18L), must start from scratch: just six or seven players in the squad, a budget to assemble, and a prosecutor’s investigation to overcome. «We trust in an archiving», he said, «but every operation has been transparent».

Rastelli: ‘Ignorant and Fierce’

The new coach Massimo Rastelli was blunt: «We are Bari: we must win». After three years out, he chose this historic club with a team that must be «ignorant and fierce in ball recovery». Bari, unbeaten in five games (DDWWW, last 0-0 vs Sudtirol on May 22, 2026), trails Venezia by 42 points.

Budget, Transfers, and Outlook

Marino reassured on finances: «The best deals often close at the end of the transfer window». But the priority is clear: «We won’t keep anyone who doesn’t honor Bari’s shirt». Rastelli added: «Before technical values, we want a team that attacks and defends with conviction».

Current Context

Bari, 38 goals scored and 60 conceded (-22), must turn things around. Marino hinted at bigger ambitions: «Bari doesn’t just deserve Serie A—it deserves an international stage». But for now, one word rules: win.