Today’s edition of “Il Corriere dello Sport” reports an interview with Vanoli who has just been promoted to Serie A with Venezia.
Distraught after hours of celebrations, but the enthusiasm is unfiltered. Recharged like his Venezia before starting the playoffs, fresh as a rose rereading a path that started from very far away. Working at all latitudes, in every corner of Europe between Chelsea and Spartak Moscow, has helped Paolo Vanoli manage that load of emotions multiplied now that Venezia is experiencing promotion first-hand. «The first to send me a message was Conte: we worked together in the past. I replied to him that we will see each other soon in Serie A.” As an opponent with Venezia, or more easily at the helm of another team: the market is already knocking on the door. “Let me rest for a couple more days, then we’ll see”, is Vanoli’s understandable appeal. He who brought a very lucid Venice to the moment of truth. Two evenings ago the culmination of a year and a half journey: life – as a coach – which starts again at fifty, work and awareness the primary ingredients after taking a team in penultimate place in Serie B.
Vanoli, let’s go against the tide: perhaps you have enjoyed a promotion like this over time and it doesn’t take days to realize what you have done. «In my life I have always wanted to set high-level goals, otherwise there is no point in doing this job. When I arrived at Venezia, maybe I was a little scared. But to accept this challenge my strong character was fundamental. I am a direct person: I immediately said that if there had been even just a 1% chance of bringing Venezia to Serie A, I would have done it.”
Momentum towards Serie A: what was the biggest difficulty to overcome? «Certain disappointments, like the one on the last day when Spezia defeated us in a comeback and the direct promotion was lost. It was a difficult journey, I think the moral and human qualities of the group were also seen. Venezia was second at the end of the first round: I told the team that at that moment we had to take responsibility. And something happened, the successes speak for themselves, but behind it there is the work of so-called invisible people like the staff. For example: we were the team with the lowest number of injuries in the entire Serie B, in the 38 days plus the playoffs.”
Does Vanoli have a model as a coach? «I would say that on my part there is a lot of curiosity, everyone is characterized by something. You must never abandon your idea of football. I faced Xabi Alonso twice in friendly matches: this year he was truly stratospheric with Bayer Leverkusen.”
Foreign ownership is now practically a must in Serie A, like at Venezia. «They are effective opportunities because the desire to invest is not lacking: I congratulate our president for this. He gave us a new house with offices that combine the administrative and sporting parts, he is also building an important project with the stadium. I have never found myself in difficulty abroad. The only mistake that should not be made is eliminating Italian culture.”
