Discontent, controversies and results that don’t arrive. It’s hard to remember a difficult football environment like the one in Reggio Calabria these days. In recent weeks the tone of dissent towards ownership has risen considerably, especially among organized supporters. To the point that we talk more about the club than the team that is doing badly. Three consecutive years of D, which could become four, are a very bitter pill even for Reggio’s acquisitions such as former captain Jorge Vargas.
It’s difficult to forget a defender like him: grim, tactically intelligent and technical at the same time. Many years in Serie A and a long career in an important national team like the Chilean one. «In recent days – revealed the footballer – I returned to Chile for a few weeks. They invite me on television programs and ask me where I played in Serie A. I get annoyed when I have to say that Reggina is among the amateurs and it becomes difficult to highlight how important it is as a football venue.”
The perception is that Vargas is evidently upset about the situation in which the amaranth team finds itself. «If Reggina is mid-table in Serie D today – he explained – it means that nothing is working. And it is unacceptable that he remains in such a championship for so long. There is no point in talking about guidance and organisation. I don’t know the current managers, but if these are the results it means that almost everything is not up to par and there is a lot to change.”
Jorge Vargas speaks as a wounded fan. «All societies – he highlighted – have ups and downs in their history, but here we need to find the compass. I would like to remember that at the beginning of the 2000s we were playing for salvation with Atalanta and we relegated them to the play-off round. And now? They are at the top in Europe, Reggina struggling in D.”
The climate in Reggio is increasingly hostile towards the current ownership, where the majority shareholder is not from Reggio. «What would happen – Jorge Vargas asked himself – if in Catania there was a club with Reggio players who played three or maybe four years in Serie D? Properties that come from outside are only good if they have lots of money, work as a team and get results. Today, however, Reggina is in D, where it should never be. Reggio is hungry for football. In September I attended the Serie A Operation Nostalgia match and the stadium was full. This city just needs to return to a suitable footballing level.”
Then there is an attack that does not only concern the current corporate course, but probably also more distant phases. «In general – highlighted the former defender – I think there was no respect for those who gave everything for Reggina. Does it seem normal to you that someone like Franceschini, apart from one season as assistant, has never even coached a youth team? My feeling is that those who sell smoke continue, but he is a very good guy and professional.”
Vargas, as a coach, had his last experience in 2023 at Pro Patria in C. A good season culminating with salvation after Donadoni’s experience as second in China.
