World Cup winner Marco Materazzi says that he aspires to work as a Coach in Germany, and condemns Italian football as ‘corrupt’.
The World Champion and former Inter defender, globally famous for provoking Zinedine Zidane's headbutt in the 2006 World Cup Final in 2006, released an interview for Bild Sport in which he considered both his past and his future.
Currently coaching Indian club Chennaiyin, the 41-year-old says he would be happy to take charge of a team in the Bundesliga one day.
World Cup winner Marco Materazzi says that he aspires to work as a Coach in Germany, and condemns Italian football as ‘corrupt’.
The World Champion and former Inter defender, globally famous for provoking Zinedine Zidane's headbutt in the 2006 World Cup Final in 2006, released an interview for Bild Sport in which he considered both his past and his future.
Currently coaching Indian club Chennaiyin, the 41-year-old says he would be happy to take charge of a team in the Bundesliga one day.
“Of course I'd like to,” Materazzi has said. “The Bundesliga stands next to La Liga and the Premier League as one of the best three championships in Europe.
“In Germany, they've been planning and doing great things since the World Cup in 2006, as evidenced by the signing of [Pep] Guardiola for Bayern Munich and the World Cup victory in Brazil.
“Years ago my agent told me that I had a request from Kaiserslautern. Back then, however, I didn't want to leave Italy. Players who did that stopped being considered for the Italian national team and I didn't want that.
“Besides, I had a responsibility towards my family. My father was a Coach, and as a child I continuously had to change cities. This isn't exactly ideal for a family, though I can't deny the Bundesliga attracted me.
“After Berlin I had a lot of opportunities to join other clubs and make better money, but I stuck with Inter and we won it all. The climax was the Champions League Final against Bayern Munich in 2010.
“What I want above all else is to win, having fun or making money are not my priorities in football.”
In spite of his continued passion, the self-styled warrior did not speak kindly of the sport in Italy.
“Italian football is corrupt. Other than the Juventus Stadium, the stadia are old and riddled with violence.
“In Germany everything is different. There are serious measures taken against the troublemakers, which is not the case in Italy.”
Finally, Materazzi went back to the old episode with Zidane.
“It happened, it was an emotive reaction. Things like that can happen on the street too. Later we conversed about things that will remain between me and him. In the end he stretched out his hand.
“I held it tight and didn't let go of it until he looked me in the eye. It was a beautiful moment for me. I can't speak for how he felt.”