Tomas Ujfalusi has outlined Galatasaray’s faith in Cesare Prandelli, and their objectives for the coming season.
The Turkish giants are expected to today conclude talks with the former Italy CT on a deal to see him come in and succeed departed compatriot Roberto Mancini.
Tomas Ujfalusi has outlined Galatasaray’s faith in Cesare Prandelli, and their objectives for the coming season.
The Turkish giants are expected to today conclude talks with the former Italy CT on a deal to see him come in and succeed departed compatriot Roberto Mancini.
For Gala’s sporting director, his former Coach at Fiorentina” data-scaytid=”9″>Fiorentina was also first choice this summer.
“When Mancini did not want to continue, I wanted to bring in Cesare,” Ujfalusi has told the Gazzetta dello Sport today.
“In Florence he coached me and thanks to him I grew so much. At the World Cup he was unfortunate, but he had a great four years.
“The Italian schooling can also help Turkish football. Roberto has worked so hard on tactics and did improve the team. Prandelli will do the same, because he knows how to speak to the players and at Galatasaray he will find a lot of good.
“A code of ethics in Istanbul? I hope so, and I think it will work. Our objectives? To win the 20th League title – at this moment both we and Fenerbahce have 19 apiece.
“And then, to go as far as we can in the Champions League.”
Galatasaray are guaranteed Turkey’s automatic place in the group stages of the Champions League, as League champions Fenerbahce are excluded for 2014-15 as part of UEFA sanctioning for their involvement in a match-fixing case.
“It was a bad thing and it should be that FIFA and UEFA remain vigilant, whilst also in Italy there was Calciopoli in 2006 and things have changed.
“Is there a crisis in Italian football? You have been used to dominating, but it is not a drama. Juventus in my opinion are still very strong, perhaps Milan and Inter are not up to the past.
“It’s a matter of cycles – the real problem is not money, but the will to invest.”
Speculation has been that Prandelli and Mancini could end up swapping jobs this summer, with the latter linked with succeeding the former with the Italy team.
“I would see him do well in that role. Roberto understands football, he knows how to be calm when needed and to push the players when needed.
“He could give continuity to the work of Prandelli.”
Ujfalusi considered the revivial enjoyed by Wesley Sneijder in Istanbul, since his exit from Inter.
“If the Netherlands win the World Cup, perhaps a slice of merit should go to Galatasaray – after leaving Inter, he has been able to regenerate.”
Gala are linked with a number of targets in Serie A, most prominent of those being Milan’s Mario Balotelli.
“Whilst I do not know of specific interest, he is a strong player. Here he would be king.”