Amid twists and turns and missed reversals, the fate of Serie A coaches takes an unexpected turn. It was supposed to be revolution, instead…
Allenatori in Serie A, sta per succedere l’impensabile: un mese dopo è cambiato tutto (foto: Ansa/LaPresse) – serieanews.com
Certain seasons seem made on purpose to test not only the players, but also those on that bench who are consumed with it, week after week, amid criticism, pressure and more or less achievable dreams. The one just spent in Serie A was one such season: a long, bumpy journey, full of surprises, stumbles and even minor dramas.
From September to the present, the script seems to have been written by a somewhat sadistic screenwriter: favorites crumbling like sand castles, unexpected comebacks, invincible teams that at some point stopped winning. And, above all, coaches who at every misstep were put on the gridiron, ready to pop like champagne corks on New Year’s Eve.
Just think of the top three in the class. Conte, Inzaghi and Gasperini are guiding Napoli, Inter and Atalanta to respectable seasons but are far from steadfast. More by their own indecisions, it must be said, because under normal conditions they would hardly be replaced. But today, between a Juve and a Premier, paradoxically the top 3 in the league seem to be the most “undecided” of all.
Speaking of teams beyond expectations, Palladino, in his first turn on the Fiorentina bench, showed good things. But amid discussions with management and some long faces in the locker room, rumors had spread that the marriage might already be in the credits.
Juve, Milan e Roma: dal terremoto alle certezze ritrovate
And finally, the real earthquakes. At Milan, they went from Paulo Fonseca to Sergio Conceiçao without being able to find real stability. At Juventus, Thiago Motta struggled to put together a recognizable team. At Roma, the De Rossi-Juric relay has ignited more controversy than enthusiasm.
Juve, Milan e Roma: dal terremoto alle certezze ritrovate (foto: Ansa) – serieanews.com
It seemed as if every bench had become a spring-loaded seat: all it took was a little movement and you were catapulted out. A waltz of coaches such as had not been seen in years was in the air. There was talk not only of the coaches who had gotten off to a bad start, but also of those who had arrived during the season: Tudor at Juventus, Conceiçao at Milan, Ranieri at Roma.
And it is Ranieri himself, although he has managed to revive the team, who seems destined to leave for anagraphic reasons rather than on the field. At least until proven otherwise.
In short, there was an air of revolution: a total reset, with a new generation ready to take the stage and a few illustrious veterans looking for a revival. Then, as often happens in our soccer, the wind changed.
E se restasse tutto com’è in Serie A? Gli allenatori che possono restare
We have gone from a “big purge” scenario to a possible general confirmation. Inter seems bent on renewing Simone Inzaghi, if he has no other ideas. In Naples, despite some stomach aches, Antonio Conte is showing signs of continuity. And Gasperini, surprisingly, may decide to stay in Bergamo to once again chase that dream called the Scudetto.
E se restasse tutto com’è in Serie A? Gli allenatori che possono restare (Foto: Ansa) – serieanews.com
Not only that. Even Milan and Juventus, after a thousand thoughts and attempts to sound out the market, seem to be leaning toward confirming Sergio Conceiçao and Igor Tudor. Two who, with all the limitations of the case, have been able to put together the pieces of delicate situations.
In the end, the real twist could be just that: that at the restart, there will be very few real reversals. A scenario that, only a month ago, seemed like science fiction. Of course, something will change, it is unthinkable that everything will remain as it is, but most likely it will change much less than it seemed.
The biggest paradox? Those who were ready to return – Allegri, Sarri, Thiago Motta – are in danger of still sitting in the pits. Waiting for the wind, once again, to change direction.
This article Coaches in Serie A, the unthinkable is about to happen: a month later everything has changed appeared in its original version first on SerieANews.
