Sassuolo captain Francesco Magnanelli has admitted to Football Italia that he had his doubts about joining the Neroverdi but, 15 years on, knows he made the right choice.
Magnanelli joined Sassuolo while the club in 2005, when Sassuolo were in Serie C, and has been a crucial part of their rise to the top of Serie A. After eight rounds of fixtures Roberto De Zerbi’s side are only two points off leaders Milan, and in an exclusive interview the 36-year-old reflected on his time in Emilia-Romagna.
Sassuolo captain Francesco Magnanelli has admitted to Football Italia that he had his doubts about joining the Neroverdi but, 15 years on, knows he made the right choice.
Magnanelli joined Sassuolo while the club in 2005, when Sassuolo were in Serie C, and has been a crucial part of their rise to the top of Serie A. After eight rounds of fixtures Roberto De Zerbi’s side are only two points off leaders Milan, and in an exclusive interview the 36-year-old reflected on his time in Emilia-Romagna.
“[Signing for Sassuolo] was a special moment, I was very young and I hadn’t played a lot before. Sassuolo was the only chance I had,” he recalled.
“I was very happy, but I wasn’t sure Sassuolo would be the right team for me. I needed to play, and I started doubting about my real potential. I didn’t know if I would be a footballer.
“In the end it was the best choice I could ever make. Fate and a bit of good luck put me in Sassuolo’s way, it was a good encounter.”
Magnanelli acknowledged that being a professional footballer was his only aim, but when he arrived at Sassuolo, the club didn’t have the ambition to reach Serie A – but were transformed by the late President, Giorgio Squinzi, his family and the Mapei company.
“[The alternative?] Honestly I don’t know. I’ve always thought I could transform my passion into a job. That’s the only thing I thought about,” he continued.
“I didn’t have many alternatives. I strongly believed in it. I wasn’t kissed by an incredible talent, so I had to do a lot. I’ve put all myself into it.
“I don’t think [Sassuolo had the ambition to be in Serie A]. The history of Mapei and Sassuolo is a history of gratitude. The company wanted to help the club and the city. The club always wanted to do well.
“They’ve always developed without spending crazy money but doing things well without making us miss anything. They had to build everything from the beginning.
“We were a non-professional club, we had no structure for bigger leagues. Day by day, reaching results and promotions, they understood that we could achieve big things. The Squinzi family was really determined. All together we’ve reached amazing results.”