Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini reveals his approach to management. “The definition of success is getting the best out of a player.”
The Orobici have been a sensation for the last couple of campaigns, finishing fourth in Serie A last year, while this term they are in the Coppa Italia semi-final and the Europa League Round of 32.
“At the start, I didn’t really want to be a Coach, but I was happy to train the youth team so I could transmit some of my experience to them,” Gasp told Wyscout.
Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini reveals his approach to management. “The definition of success is getting the best out of a player.”
The Orobici have been a sensation for the last couple of campaigns, finishing fourth in Serie A last year, while this term they are in the Coppa Italia semi-final and the Europa League Round of 32.
“At the start, I didn’t really want to be a Coach, but I was happy to train the youth team so I could transmit some of my experience to them,” Gasp told Wyscout.
“It was not my intention to work with professional players. I wanted to help educate and share my passion for the game. You quickly realise it’s not instinct, you need to be well-prepared on what exercises to teach, how to work with their characteristics.
“I don’t believe a Coach can make a player better, but he can more out of his capabilities. We cannot think of transforming an ordinary player into a champion, but the definition of success is getting the best out of him and that means working on the person as well as the player. You have to do that for all 25 players in the squad.
“When communicating within a team, you don’t need words, but a glance: visual communication is fundamental. A look and I know where you’re going to put the ball. It’s the kind of understanding that develops over time and they can eventually be decisive.”
Atalanta have built a remarkable success story and could still reach the Europa League Round of 16 after losing the first leg 3-2 away to Borussia Dortmund.
“Last season we found ourselves putting together 37 points in the final stages and clinching fourth place. We had this energy within us that allowed us to win games we could’ve lost, because we felt it inside us. It was a strong sensation, but unquantifiable.
“Yet, if I look back at the matches, I realise we ran some big risks. Some call it luck, but how do you react to that? I removed all trace of superstition, otherwise it’d drive me crazy.
“There are sides that have a target and the moment they miss a beat, it all falls apart. Just look at Inter and Roma, who were at the top until a few weeks ago and then lost something. It happens to many teams and they find themselves 10 points adrift after a month.”