Claudio Ranierinow former coach of Cagliarispoke at the Serie A Festival in Parma to the microphones of the media present, including TMWspeaking of the season just concluded with the rossoblù: “There remains a lot of this year, starting from the awareness that we all worked for a single purpose: club, players, collaborators and above all the fans, who gave us a huge hand, being close to the team and to me in difficult moments, always encouraging us… It was a wonderful experience.”
Are you still convinced that it was right to say goodbye like that?
“Yes, yes, it’s still right, I still think so. If I had to dream of an exit like this, I wouldn’t have been able to do it so well.”
What characteristics should the new Cagliari coach have?
“I won’t get into these things, I’m out of it now, don’t ask me these questions. He must have the characteristics that the public understands and helps him and the team, this is the only thing I can recommend to the fans. As I always said: they change the presidents, the players, but those who remain are the fans, they are united and encourage the team, they have something more and they remain in Serie A.”
How do you see Italy ahead of the European Championship?
“He’s in a tough group, it’s not easy, but I have a lot of confidence in Spalletti. We have to let him work calmly, the people and the press above all must not ask for the impossible. You can’t make ends meet in a short time, he’s working by planting seed very good in the players’ field. I hope he can do well, perhaps not in this European Championship, but in the long run he will be right.”
Which up-and-coming coach do you like the most?
“All these young people excite me, they need to be evaluated when they sail in the ocean, when the waves are big. There they will need to have strong nerves, coolness, be able to understand where the problems are and how to overcome them. I wish them all to have a splendid footballing life , where everything goes well, but there will be some moments where they will have to be strong. I wish them to be able to command themselves in those moments, to be calm and to manage the situation well.”
You have accomplished many feats, which one would you like to be remembered for?
“I understand that the feat achieved against Leicester will remain everywhere, because we set out to save ourselves and we won the championship against super powers, but sorry, Cagliari remains in my heart and I won’t exchange Cagliari’s feats for anything.”
Would you advise De Zerbi to return to Italy or stay in the Premier League?
“I don’t recommend anything to anyone, each of us has a character, a vision, a history, a mentality… Everyone must do what they feel.”
She said she would like to coach a national team. Have you already received requests?
“No, yet… I only had requests from journalists (laughs, ed.)”.
