Gennaro Gattuso insists he is not racist nor sexist but warns hate comments can affect the weaker ones.
The 2006 Italy World Cup winner was appointed Fiorentina coach in May, but he walked out of the club after just 23 days due to disagreements with the management of the Tuscans.
According to reports, Gattuso and his agent Jorge Mendes did not share the club’s transfer strategies, so they decided to part ways with La Viola.
However, Gattuso said in an interview with La Repubblica newspaper that the Portuguese agent is not his representative but ‘just a friend’ and confirmed he can’t reveal why he left Fiorentina.
“He [Mendes] is a friend. He has great experience and gives me advice for my career. I always respect roles: the transfer market is not up to me, but to directors,” Gattuso said.
“I am an ambitious coach and I want strong and functional players to the team. Regardless of who their agent is.”
Fiorentina were reportedly unhappy with the commissions demanded by Mendes to sign Sergio Oliveira from Porto. However, La Viola are one of the highest spenders in Serie A for agents’ commissions.
“I can’t talk about this and I repeat he [Fiorentina President Rocco Commisso] is a person I’ve never met.”
Commisso had revealed both Gattuso and Fiorentina couldn’t detail what happened because of a confidentiality clause included by the coach’s lawyers in a private agreement between the two parties.
Gattuso had joined Fiorentina after a one year and a half spell at Napoli and entered talks with Tottenham after rescinding his contract with La Viola.
“I’m proud to have coached a great team in a big city like Naples. In a season with problems and injuries, we missed out on a Champions League spot by one point, with often spectacular matches,” he said.
Tottenham reportedly decided against appointing the Italian tactician due to some statements from the past, which were considered racist and sexist, but Gattuso believes the truth lies elsewhere.
“I find it hard to believe that this was the reason, at most it may have remained in their minds the image of myself fighting with Joe Jordan in 2011.
“Surely I am neither racist, nor sexist, nor homophobic: old statements of mine have been misrepresented.
“Why don’t you ask my former teammates and the players I coached about my relationship with them? I can’t lose time with silly things, but my experience can teach something.
“Hate on social media is dangerous and very underrated. I am a public figure and I have the strength to react, but not everyone can bear it.
“There are those who may throw themselves out of the window because they are weaker. It is a serious problem: why is nobody doing something about it?
“I don’t live in the past, I have daughters who use social media, I just don’t understand exhibitionism. Why should I post a picture if I am on a boat trip with my family or at the restaurant?
“I want to tell the youths to live their life, not the ones of others.”
Gattuso: "Non sono razzista. Mendes? Mai condizionato da lui" https://t.co/wbgBs0ihJW
— Repubblica (@repubblica) July 5, 2021