Valentino Lazaro's four-year journey with Torino has come to an end, but not before the Austrian winger delivered a parting shot that lays bare the chaos behind the scenes at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. In a candid interview with Tuttosport, Lazaro reflected on a turbulent 2025-26 campaign that saw the Granata cycle through multiple tactical setups, a coaching change, and a front-office reshuffle, all of which he believes derailed the club’s hopes of European qualification.
Lazaro, who joined Torino in 2022 from Inter Milan, had been a versatile presence down the flank, capable of operating as a wing-back or a more advanced winger. Over his four seasons, he made over 100 appearances, often providing energy and width. However, his final year was marred by instability that started before a ball was even kicked. The summer of 2025 brought optimism with the appointment of Marco Baroni, a coach known for his organized, high-pressing style. Lazaro acknowledged the squad’s initial commitment: “We worked incredibly hard,” he said, paraphrasing the original Italian, “but the results didn’t come.”
That early-season toil under Baroni failed to translate into points, and the club’s hierarchy reacted. Tactical blueprints were torn up, the starting eleven was repeatedly shuffled, and eventually Baroni himself was relieved of his duties. Lazaro noted that mid-season overhauls are “never a positive signal,” a sentiment that resonates with the Granata faithful who have witnessed similar patterns of upheaval over the years. The head coach was not the only departure; a new sporting director arrived, further unsettling a dressing room already struggling for consistency.
The rapid turnover meant Lazaro and his teammates were constantly adapting to new instructions. One week it was a 3-4-2-1, the next a 4-3-3, with players asked to fill unfamiliar roles. For a player like Lazaro, whose effectiveness relies on rhythm and understanding with overlapping defenders and wingers, the constant flux proved detrimental. He was in and out of the side, unable to build momentum. “It wasn’t easy for me,” he admitted, a clear undercurrent of frustration in his words.
By the time the season reached its final third, Torino had slipped well away from the European places. The initial dream of a top-seven finish, which Lazaro himself had harbored, was replaced by a grim mid-table reality. The instability did not just affect results; it likely contributed to the club’s decision to part ways with several players, including Lazaro, as part of a necessary reset. For Torino, the repeated failure to mount a credible European challenge despite a passionate fanbase and a historic name remains a persistent thorn.
Lazaro’s departure is emblematic of a larger issue at Torino: the inability to back a vision with patience. This season alone, the club burned through two permanent coaches and an interim, alongside a change in the sporting director’s office. Such churn makes it impossible to implement a cohesive transfer strategy or a consistent playing style. The Granata have not participated in European competition since the 2019-20 season, and fans’ patience is wearing thin. Lazaro’s pointed remarks may resonate with those who see the club’s management as the primary obstacle to progress.
The ripple effects will be felt this summer. With Lazaro leaving on a free transfer, Torino lose a player who, despite his struggles, brought international experience and versatility. The club now faces a squad rebuild with limited resources, the task made harder by the negative perception created by public critiques like Lazaro’s. Potential signings may think twice about joining a club where the environment is described as unstable.
For Lazaro himself, the next chapter awaits. At 30, he still has years left to contribute at a high level, and his candid comments may actually appeal to clubs looking for an honest professional who has navigated adversity. He leaves Torino with no silverware but with the respect of supporters who appreciated his work ethic.
Looking ahead, Torino must find a way to stop the cycle of short-term thinking. President Urbano Cairo has made bold promises in the past, but the reality on the pitch rarely matches ambition. Until the club establishes a clear, long-term plan and sticks to it, the “dream of Europe” that Lazaro mentioned will remain exactly that—a dream.
Ultimately, Lazaro’s exit interview serves as a window into a season gone wrong for one of Italy’s most storied clubs. It is a reminder that success in Serie A demands more than just effort on the training ground; it requires stability and a unified direction from the top. As Torino prepares for another campaign in 2026-27, the lessons of this chaotic year must be heeded. Based on reporting from Tuttosport.