“Absolutely not, it was an unexpected, pleasant and surprising fact in many respects, especially because of how it happened,” Stirpe told Sky Sport when asked whether he expected such an opening.
He believes the work of coach Massimiliano Alvini has been central to the team’s development, particularly as new arrivals have settled into the squad.
“The identity and cohesion that our coach has been able to give the whole group,” Stirpe said. “In this phase of the championship it has also been well absorbed by those who arrived in the summer.”
Frosinone have also placed a strong emphasis on Italian players, with five members of their squad involved with Italy’s Under-21 side.
“It is a great satisfaction that crowns a path of growth over the last two years,” Stirpe said. “I like Baldini’s philosophy, which focuses heavily on young players and believes in his ideas, carries them forward and takes responsibility for them.”
The president accepts that the next challenge against Napoli will provide a significant test.
“It will be a very difficult match against a very important, highly rated opponent,” he said. “Frosinone will have to be perfect to come through it unscathed.”
Stirpe also addressed the future of Giorgi Kvernadze and Lorenzo Palmisani amid reports of interest from clubs outside Frosinone.
“I hear many rumours, but there are no actual, concrete requests, apart from the scouts who come to watch the matches,” he said. “These are being confused with interest from clubs, but beyond that there is nothing concrete.”
He expects both players to remain until the end of the season unless an unforeseen situation changes the picture.
“It will not be easy to keep them, but the philosophy of Clara Vista is to focus on the players who represent excellence in our team at that moment,” Stirpe said. “Unless there are unforeseen situations, I think they will stay until the end of the season.”
Stirpe sold a majority stake in Frosinone after 23 years, a decision shaped by repeated failures to avoid relegation.
“Three times we tried to avoid relegation and we never succeeded,” he said. “This time, at the fourth opportunity, I wanted to try to give the club a different horizon and perspective.”
The new structure combines the club’s existing expertise with the financial resources of majority shareholder Clara Vista.
“I hope this mix can produce the winning recipe to save us,” Stirpe said. “No, never,” he added when asked if he regretted the decision to sell the majority stake.