Allievi greets De Raffaele: "Facing a'important opportunity…"

In the end, the rumors that had been chasing each other in the last few days have found final confirmation through the channels of Acqua S.Bernardo Cantù, which has made Walter De Raffaele’s farewell official: the seasoned coach from Livorno has in fact exercised the exit option from his contract, choosing not to continue his adventure on the Biancoblù bench after the salvation achieved on the parquet.

The president of the Brianza-based club, Roberto Allievi, spoke personally about De Raffaele’s will: “In recent weeks the club has begun planning for the 2026-2027 season with the aim of taking a further step forward, also working on a proposal to favor the coach’s permanence. However, we understand the decision to take an important opportunity,” he explained.

“We would therefore like to sincerely thank De Raffaele for achieving the set goal, leading the team to salvation. To him go our best wishes for the continuation of his career,” Allievi then concluded in his own official farewell to WDR, who closes after just under four months his experience in Cantù.

As far as Walter De Raffaele’s future is concerned, there has been talk in the last few hours of a possible return to Reyer Venezia, a club the Livorno coach led from 2016 to 2023 (and of which he had been deputy between 2011 and 2016), but also of a survey by Virtus Bologna. In addition, the hypothesis of a transfer abroad, specifically to Japan, has taken shape.