Francesco Guidolin reveals why he chose Swansea City and how he views Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City miracle.
The former Udinese boss only just started his Premier League adventure in Wales.
“I like to train and be a manager of this club. Being among the 20 Coaches in the Premier League is a fascinating experience,” he told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
Some of the Swansea players confessed they had to Google Guidolin when he was appointed.
Francesco Guidolin reveals why he chose Swansea City and how he views Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City miracle.
The former Udinese boss only just started his Premier League adventure in Wales.
“I like to train and be a manager of this club. Being among the 20 Coaches in the Premier League is a fascinating experience,” he told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
Some of the Swansea players confessed they had to Google Guidolin when he was appointed.
“That’s normal. I wasn’t lacking difficulties, but I gave a sense of certainty and calm to the players, without giving them too many speeches, especially as I’m not entirely at home with the language yet.
“Until two years ago these players got changed in a sports centre used by other people too, but now there are two training centres of their own. The Welsh people are proud and kind. I also think our logo of the swan is the most beautiful. I needed new challenges and here everything is new.”
There were other challenges too, as Guidolin missed two games when he was hospitalised with a chest infection.
“My wife kept checking her phone and telling me the scores. I suffered, also because I wasn’t well, but I also celebrated when we won.
“We have undoubtedly improved our position and that is very important, but let’s keep our feet on the ground, because it’s a difficult fixture list. Here the games are never over until the final whistle and the tempo is really high.”
Guidolin isn’t the only Italian tactician impressing in the Premier League, as Ranieri’s Leicester City are top of the table.
“I admire the side and Ranieri, but naturally I view their situation with relative surprise. We see them play and realise they are dreaming with their eyes wide open. At times dreams can come true, because if we all dream the same way, we unite to form strength that didn’t seem possible.”
Guidolin confessed his greatest campaign also prompted his biggest regret.
“Udinese in 2010-11, with Alexis Sanchez and Antonio Di Natale. We reached the Champions League preliminary round and if the squad had been maintained, a year later we could’ve challenged for the Scudetto.”