Alberto Malesani has reacted angrily to criticism he has received in recent days from the Press that suggested he had given up at Genoa.
Alberto Malesani has reacted angrily to criticism he has received in recent days from the Press that suggested he had given up at Genoa.
Sections of the local media in Genoa have run reports and opinion pieces this week criticising the under-pressure Coach’s attitude and insinuating that he had in effect given up. Speculation is rife that President Enrico Preziosi is considering replacing the former Bologna boss after a run of disappointing results.
However, ahead of facing Milan this weekend, Malesani took the opportunity during his pre-match Press conference to set the record straight about how he is approaching the job in hand.
“I read that someone called me wet. But what does it mean?
“I am respectful, someone who has never looked to argue with what you write about. But I’m not bailing out. I am not ‘wet’.
“I can be nice or nasty, but I think I deserve a little more respect. If after a 21-year career I say that the team has played well, it does not mean that I have not seen the problems.
“I am a Coach that wants, I’m having so much fun because I have players that follow me in all respects. After 11 games you cannot expect a squad that is ready. There is a project and a project had to go forward.
“I understand the Genoa supporters, I understand their regret, it has been a few years since they have been able to improve their League position, but we must look to other things: Genoa is fifth in the Financial Fair Play, there is a great President with enthusiasm and he is doing great things.
“It is not enough to just jump around on the bench. There is the myth of [Vicente] Del Bosque who never says anything yet has won everything.”
Malesani eventually did turn to look ahead to Friday’s game with the Rossoneri, a team he also admitted to having once supported.
“Milan? They are the strongest team in Italy and aim to win everything in the world. However, it is 11 against 11 on the field that will determine the result.
“Before I began life as a Coach I was a Milan fan, but now I only cheer for the team that I coach, because if I lose I’m annoyed, I do not sleep and I fight with everyone. I am made like this, I’m not 'wet'.”