Fredberg and Verschaeren face enormous pressure at Sampdoria

Jesper Fredberg, a 45-year-old Danish, has been the sporting director of Sampdoria since July. At the same time, Yari Verschaeren left the club to join the Italian side. For Fredberg this immediately means a tough job: bringing the historic club back to Serie A.

A tough assignment in Genoa

Fredberg was the sporting director at Anderlecht from January 2023 to October 2024, but his stint there was not an unqualified success. For example, he brought in Brian Riemer as coach, a decision that ultimately did not have the desired effect.

In Genoa he received a tough assignment: steering the historic Sampdoria back to Serie A. The club is already in its fourth season at the second level and so far has not managed to truly compete for promotion. The club continues to struggle with inconsistent results and lacks the consistency needed for a promotion spot.

Squad renovation and early results

During the summer the core was thoroughly refreshed, with well‑known names for the Belgian audience arriving in Genoa. Bjorn Meijer made the move from Club Brugge, but he suffered an injury after coming on as a substitute in the Coppa Italia. Yari Verschaeren left Anderlecht for Sampdoria, played 68 percent of the available minutes in the league and provided one assist. In addition, the Luxembourgish international Danel Sinani was signed, who played in the 2020‑2021 season for Waasland‑Beveren.

Sampdoria overhauled the squad: fourteen new players joined permanently and two on loan. At the same time twelve players departed, ten on a free transfer, while three others were loaned out. The massive turnover has not yet fully settled the team cohesion.

After five matchdays Sampdoria is only seventeenth in Serie B with four points. The gap to leaders Palermo is already nine points. Last season the club from Genoa finished thirteenth, making the start of this season even more difficult, although five games is a limited sample.

Immediately after the international break, a crucial away match against Avellino, who are currently seventh, awaits. For Fredberg and Sampdoria this is the first match in which quick improvement is expected.