Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero says he has a new coach lined up.

Ferrero has allowed Claudio Ranieri to come off contract this month.

“I do have a coach, I am not a kamikaze without a plan," Ferrero told GR Parlamento radio.

“I am someone who likes to take risks, but I won't announce it due to superstitious reasons. I will make the announcement on July 4. Then I will tell you who the long-awaited coach is, after you made a series of important names in the media."

Sacked Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo has been mentioned as a candidate and Ferrero did not deny it.

“I had thought about it, and I really would've liked that, but after Juventus I don't think he'd have been in the right headspace to come to Sampdoria.

“After Ranieri, who picked up 52 points, I cannot make a mistake on the next boss. Many people say I try to save money, but that is not true. What I want is to find a person who knows how to make the most of my players. I cannot rebuild an entire squad for a coach, football has changed."