RB Leipzig coach Domenico Tedesco reveals his role models in football, saying that Tottenham Hotspurs’ boss Antonio Conte is among the most inspiring coaches.
The Bundesliga side will face Atalanta in the Europa League quarter-finals tomorrow. Tedesco was born in Italy in 1985 but moved to Germany when he was a kid. His family is from Calabria, south Italy.
“The trip from Germany to Calabria was always like a small adventure, 24 hours of driving, my grandma would wait for us and the whole family reunited to eat together,” the 36-year-old told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “It was fantastic. I like to return to Italy, I have friends everywhere.
“I arrived in Germany when I was only two years old. Football played an important role. I always played with my friends after school,” he added.
Who are his role models in Italian football?
“I admire Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti. I grew up watching Italian football. Marcello Lippi, Fabio Capello, Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte.
“I still have in mind the 2-0 win over Spain at Euro 2016. I try to learn from everyone; Conte has always done really well and is doing the same at Tottenham.”
Conte remained in charge of the Azzurri for two years. Germany eliminated his Italy side on penalties in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, but that European campaign will be remembered as one of the most impressive for La Nazionale, who did not have many big stars in their team.
Tedesco was appointed by Leipzig in December 2021 and has won 12 of 18 games in charge of the Bundesliga side. Which kind of game does he expect against Atalanta tomorrow?
“It will be tough, but we have the ambition to win,” he said.
“Atalanta are a physical team, but also well organized. They know the movements they have to do, they defend in many ways and are really flexible. They are one of the best teams in Italy.”
Lipsia, Tedesco: "Io tra Italia, Baggio e Conte. Contro l'Atalanta sarà dura" https://t.co/mOn9cpcxSJ
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) April 6, 2022
I find this guy’s name fascinating. His surname literally means German.. in Italian.. And he’s Italian-German. AMAZING.
Meant to be! Really cool