New Monza coach Raffaele Palladino will make his debut against former club Juventus after replacing Giovanni Stroppa. ‘We must try to be positive and enjoy our football.’
The 38-year-old only started his coaching career with the Monza Primavera youth team in July 2021 and was promoted to the main role after Stroppa managed only one point from the first five games of the season.
He will make his debut on the bench against Juventus, one of the clubs he played for during his career.
“I am proud to represent the first team and will try to give my best,” said Palladino in a press conference.
“I wanted to meet with all the players, and there are many, and found strong foundations left by Stroppa. He was one of the first to call me yesterday to wish me all the best.”
Palladino credited current Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini with being his most influential coach and gave some hints as to how he will set Monza out.
“We are trying to find the best solutions, give ideas and drill my concept of football into the squad. After negative results, confidence is going to be low, but we must try to be positive and enjoy our football, playing with heart and soul.”
President Silvio Berlusconi was very publicly critical of Stroppa and his tactics, insisting he would personally take care of the situation and change the way the team was set out. Will he do the same with Palladino?
“I have not been asked for any specific objective, just to bring my ideas and make the team more effective. It is a real show of faith and I will work 12 hours a day to give my best.
“I felt very much at home with the President, as I have done with Monza since coming here.”