Giovanni Trapattoni believes Carlo Ancelotti “has surpassed me,” is proud of Antonio Conte and Claudio Ranieri’s Premier League success and calls Roberto Mancini “world class.”
Il Trap was the first Italian tactician to really make his mark abroad, winning titles with Bayern Munich, Benfica and Red Bull Salzburg, while he was also the Coach of the Italy and Republic of Ireland squads.
Giovanni Trapattoni believes Carlo Ancelotti “has surpassed me,” is proud of Antonio Conte and Claudio Ranieri’s Premier League success and calls Roberto Mancini “world class.”
Il Trap was the first Italian tactician to really make his mark abroad, winning titles with Bayern Munich, Benfica and Red Bull Salzburg, while he was also the Coach of the Italy and Republic of Ireland squads.
“Let’s just say that I lifted a few barriers and paved the way for others, but I don’t deserve much credit for that,” the 77-year-old said to the Corriere dello Sport.
Now there are Italians succeeding all over Europe, including top of the table in England and Germany.
“What stands Italian Coaches out above the rest is our minute attention to detail. They are favoured by having a career as top level international players behind them, but above all are beyond compare when it comes to tactical knowledge and the ability to form a group dynamic.
“They know what needs to be done in order to win and adapt well to the countries they find themselves in. I worked in many nations and results are on my side, so that’s what really counts.
“When I was at Juventus and we didn’t play well, (then-President Giovanni) Agnelli would come to me and say: ‘Trapattoni, today I was not entertained, but the important thing is that we won. Well done.’”
Ranieri won the Premier League with Leicester City last term and now another Italian is topping the table in England, as Conte has won over Chelsea fans.
“Antonio won at Juventus and then formed himself as a Coach by starting from Serie B. In England he arrived after experiences at Juve and the Italy side. He is practical and efficient, a perfect example of the philosophy: ‘Rather than nothing, I’ll take… rather.’
“After Ancelotti won everything in Italy, he triumphed in England, in France, in Spain and now will do so in Germany. He has surpassed me, without doubt,” smiled Trap.
“His great quality is being able to absorb what he needed from every nation, but without transforming his football philosophy. The fact he was an extraordinary midfielder during his career also helped.
“I wanted him to play in my teams, but nobody ever sold him to me.
“Ranieri achieved an exceptional result because he won the title with a team that was meant to be battling for safety. I send him this message: you’ve done something great. As for Mancini, he has already won abroad with Manchester City. He’s world class and nobody can doubt that.”
It’s not just in Europe’s traditional big leagues that Italian tacticians are dominating, because Spartak Moscow are top in Russia with Conte’s former assistant Massimo Carrera.
“Massimo is a wonderful surprise. I gave him his debut as a player and now he is putting into practice all he learned from the Coaches he worked with during his career. In Russia he has proved that he’s got what it takes.
“I can’t take credit for what Conte and Carrera have done. The way I learned from the teachings of Nereo Rocco, Nils Liedholm and others I played for, perhaps they remember a few things I said to them.
“Italian clubs cannot afford the same transfer fees as the other leagues, but you cannot buy ideas. In that sense, our school of coaching is at the vanguard.”
Which current Serie A Coaches intrigue Trapattoni for the future?
“In order I’ll say Vincenzo Montella, Gian Piero Gasperini and Eusebio Di Francesco. Montellino is a step ahead of the rest because he’s an exceptional lad and has already done something special at Milan.
“Gasperini and Di Francesco too are getting the best out of the squad at their disposal.”