Veteran Palermo midfielder Enzo Maresca has conceded that returning to Serie A four years ago was the biggest mistake of his career

The Italian made his professional debut back in 1998 with West Brom, where he spent two years before being brought back to his homeland by Juventus.

Maresca won the Scudetto in his second season with the Bianconeri but was then sold to Fiorentina in 2004, while he also had spells with Sevilla and Malaga in Spain, as well as Olympiakos in Greece.

The 36-year-old, who helped Los Rojiblancos claim back-to-back UEFA Cups and the Copa del Rey, opted to join Sampdoria in 2012 and after four years back home, he says the Italian top flight has not moved along with the times.

When asked in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport what decision he regretted most in football, Maresca replied: “Returning to Italy [after playing for Sevilla].

“I did it because Ciro Ferrara wanted me at Sampdoria, but I found a country that had made no progress. It seems the presidents, coaches and politicians don’t age. There is no change in generation.

“I played in Spain for six years and I think I only saw four or five presidents on TV, however, it seems there is a race to be seen on TV here in Italy.”

Source Foxsports