Arrigo Sacchi backs Cesare Prandelli and describes his mental breakdown when he coached Parma: 'I didn't want to be the richest man in the cemetery.'
Prandelli stepped back as Fiorentina coach on Tuesday, revealing "a dark cloud has developed inside of me."
Former Italy, Milan and Parma coach Arrigo Sacchi described a similar feeling in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Arrigo Sacchi backs Cesare Prandelli and describes his mental breakdown when he coached Parma: 'I didn't want to be the richest man in the cemetery.'
Prandelli stepped back as Fiorentina coach on Tuesday, revealing "a dark cloud has developed inside of me."
Former Italy, Milan and Parma coach Arrigo Sacchi described a similar feeling in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I was the Parma coach. We won 2-0 in Verona, and I felt no emotions at all. I understood that was the end. I had nothing more to give.
"I called my wife Giovanna, and I told her: 'That's it, I am not going to coach anymore' and I drove from Verona to my home in Fusignano.
“I spoke to [former Parma President] Calisto Tanzi. I explained to him why I could not take it anymore.
"I had signed the best contract in my career, but I didn't care. I told him: 'I know I lose a lot of money, but I don't want to be the richest man in the cemetery.' Health comes first of all."
"I have always been a perfectionist. I expect the best from myself and others. After so many years, my body has sent me a signal.
"During my coaching career, I only thought about football. I did not admit any other distractions. I think I went to the cinema three or four times in 30 years, although I was a film enthusiast.
"There was only football. I excluded everything else. It gave me no respite. I had no peace. I slept very little.
"I went to a psychologist. I asked him: 'Doctor, is what is happening to me normal?'.
"He replied: 'I am a doctor but also a football fan. I assure you that it is not normal what you have done in the previous thirty years.'"
"That words that calmed me down. Stress, if managed properly, can be a powerful tool.
"When, instead, it ends up putting your back to the wall, then you have to stop. Fighting is useless. One must only recover serenity.
"I don't know what happened to Prandelli, but I want to hug him. He is a very sensible man, he is living a particular moment, and we must respect his choices.
"I chose him as Parma coach in 2002. I had three names on my agenda: Delneri, Vialli and Prandelli. I was honest with him and I told him he was the third one on my list. Then the other two said no and he accepted.
"He left Parma after two seasons as the club was close to bankruptcy. He had done well with Mutu and Adriano in the team.
"We met again in the national team. Prandelli is an honest person and a good coach."