Cagliari coach Eusebio Di Francesco has revealed he was impressed by ‘the mentality and the desire to improve’ at the Sardegna Arena.
The 51-year-old has been brought in to replace former coach Walter Zenga ahead of 2020-21 and said he was convinced by President Tommaso Giulini.
“The first meetings with President Giulini were important for me to choose Cagliari, even before knowing the project well,” Di Francesco told the club’s official website.
Cagliari coach Eusebio Di Francesco has revealed he was impressed by ‘the mentality and the desire to improve’ at the Sardegna Arena.
The 51-year-old has been brought in to replace former coach Walter Zenga ahead of 2020-21 and said he was convinced by President Tommaso Giulini.
“The first meetings with President Giulini were important for me to choose Cagliari, even before knowing the project well,” Di Francesco told the club’s official website.
“I liked the mentality, the desire to improve. It has been difficult to start and work [due to the coronavirus] but it was also a way to grown and learn. For me and for my staff too.”
The former Roma coach has revealed he wants to give the Casteddu a ‘strong identity’ and was happy with the ‘availability’ from the players.
“I like to work to give a strong identity to the team, which obviously depends on the players and their characteristics,” the new coach added.
“My initial approach was to give some input. I want to give certainties. I’m trying to make the lads understand the urge to be aggressive.
“They must have the courage to accept one-on-ones, but also have the desire to dribble. I like how they are applying themselves, their availability and everything.”
Di Francesco arrives from a difficult experience at Sampdoria but has found an environment he enjoys in Sardinia.
“I like it a lot, the whole environment. There’s a great organisation and availability. I really enjoy working in such a context.
“The Sardinians aren’t very warm initially, first there’s a distance that I like, then we let ourselves go. That’s what I like.
“I can tell the fans that I hope they will open the stadiums as soon as possible, to embrace them again. I also said it as an opponent and I can’t wait to see them with us to be the 12th man on the pitch.”