Vincenzo Italiano, after his exploit with Bologna, will be the most courted coach in Serie A: who can bet on him for next season?
Italiano, che cosa sei! Le 3 big che potrebbero prenderlo in Serie A (Foto: Lapresse) – serieanews.com
There is always a specific moment when you realize that one has made the leap. That he is no longer just “the good one,” but the one everyone wants. Here, for Vincenzo Italiano, that moment has arrived. And it came with thunder: 5-0 to Lazio, a direct competitor for the Champions League, and a resounding fourth place. A result that overturned the hierarchies and, perhaps, even the fate of the next coaching market.
Italiano was already the man of the moment. His Bologna was playing well, in fact very well, and had slipped into the fight for Europe without ever looking out of place. But now he has gone further. He has swept away any remaining mistrust. And this is no small detail, for skeptics there were, even not too long ago.
At Fiorentina, let’s face it, he had not exactly convinced everyone. A few flashes, two lost European finals, but also the feeling that something was missing. A detail, perhaps. That ability to be concrete all the way through. At Bologna, however, he seems to have found balance. Not only tactical. Also human. And that growth is the real news this year.
Because if Bologna has made it to the Coppa Italia semifinals against Empoli and is in serious danger of finishing in the top six in the league, it deserves credit. And it did so without the big guns of last season. Without Zirkzee, without Calafiori, with a team that was thought to be somewhat downsized.
But no. He has revived Ndoye, exploded Odgaard, and enhanced every single piece at his disposal. All this while playing more practical soccer than in the past, but never mundane.
Quale big prende Italiano? C’è una clausola rescissoria sul contratto
Here the talk gets serious. Because a rescission clause hangs over Italiano’s contract. And there are at least three big names in our league who are thinking of triggering it.
Milan must choose a new coach. Conceiçao is on his way out and the club has a clear idea: to bet on a coach who can give a strong, recognizable, offensive game identity. A De Zerbi-like profile, in short. But should he not arrive, Vincenzo Italiano is the first alternative. He knows the league, has demonstrated his ability to develop young people and could ignite the talent on the roster. Watch out, however, for Conte, who remains in the background.
Quale big prende Italiano? C’è una clausola rescissoria sul contratto (AnsaFoto) – serieanews.com
Juventus is at a crossroads. Thiago Motta is now certain to jump, assuming he makes it to the end of the season, and Italiano’s name could become the one. In terms of playing style and philosophy, he would be a natural continuation of the Bianconeri project, which aims to make it big again by focusing on youth and bolder soccer.
But much will depend on who is in charge: Giuntoli would push for Italiano, while a possible promotion of Chiellini to general manager could open the door to more conservative choices. Like Antonio Conte, who in the meantime reflects on the future.
And so we come to Napoli, probably the team where Italiano could express himself at his best. If Antonio Conte decided to quit-and the rumors of his return to Juventus are there-De Laurentiis would not think twice. He has always esteemed him, from his Spezia days, and has sought him out in the past.
Now seems the right time. His bubbly soccer would match the Neapolitan philosophy and bring enthusiasm back to an environment that would be annihilated by an eventual farewell of Conte, who in Naples has now become a leader beloved by all. The only way to make a good amortization of his farewell would be to try to bring back a cycle similar to that of Sarri and Spalletti, and Italiano is surely the right man to do so.
At this point the ball is in his court. Italiano will play out the end of the season with a Bologna to applause, but his name is already on all the agendas of the presidents of the bigs. The feeling is that the big leap is now just around the corner. It is just up to him to choose where to fly.
This article Italian, what are you! The 3 bigs who could catch him in Serie A appeared in its original version first on SerieANews.
