Pesaro: The Tambone case isn’t over yet—management speaks plainly, and the ball is back in the basketball player’s court
Victoria Libertas Pesaro has provided an update on the situation involving captain Matteo Tambone, following the tensions that arose after last Saturday’s game against Mestre. At a press conference attended by President Andrea Valli, CEO Alessandro Dalla Salda, and sports director Nicola Egidio, the club clarified its position, reaffirming its commitment to continuing its journey alongside the player.
Dalla Salda recounted the events, explaining that Tambone had already requested a transfer back in June, but that the situation had since normalized thanks to the trust placed in the player, who had been named captain. “Matteo,” added the CEO of the red-and-white club, “was then injured during the training camp in Carpegna, but made a full recovery ahead of schedule. He returned to the field during the successful away game in Ruvo di Puglia.”
“Until October 21—the date on which we met with Tambone’s agent to begin negotiations to extend, renegotiate, and renew an existing contract, which provided for a “one-plus-one” option—there were no signs of the tension that later emerged. After the loss to Torino, the club felt it necessary to meet with the team and staff; however, that meeting did not lead to an improvement in performance. The team suffered a heavy defeat in Avellino, and the next day Matteo asked to speak with me to express some discomfort from a technical standpoint regarding the team’s playing system.”.
Dalla Salda then described how the tension erupted during the home game against Mestre, despite attempts at dialogue with the coach, the sporting director, and the team: “During the week, President Valli met with Matteo to try to resolve the situation as best as possible. The team traveled to Sassari without Tambone, but this morning he was reinstated to the squad—a decision communicated to the player and his agent in the early afternoon.”
“We take full responsibility; we’re not here to get rid of Tambone,” clarified the VL executive. No one ever considered letting go of a player like him; we simply wanted to try to resolve a problematic situation. We don’t deny that the team has taken a step backward recently—the team chemistry isn’t working. For us, there’s an opportunity to start over together with Tambone; on our end, there’s no problem—now we need to see if there’s room to continue this journey together.”
In the post-match press conference following the game against Mestre, Tambone had directed some rather harsh words at the club, particularly at sporting director Nicola Egidio. “I feel sidelined after six years of giving my all—I can’t accept that,” he said. “I spoke with the club to see what to do, but nothing has changed. In fact, they must not have liked the way I handled things, and I’ve been benched. I don’t trust anyone anymore; I don’t see how I can continue here.”
VL Pesaro has therefore clarified that it has no intention of letting Tambone go, but that the situation must be resolved through dialogue and by rebuilding team chemistry. The Tambone situation thus remains in limbo between the club’s decision not to let him go and the need to rebuild mutual trust: the final word now rests with the captain—whether he’ll agree to start over with VL or whether he’ll prefer to close the Pesaro chapter once and for all.
