Italy’s match against Moldova will go down in history more for Gennaro Gattuso’s harsh words at the end of the game than for the result itself, which was meaningless in terms of World Cup qualification.
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“The chants of protest, the ‘go get a job’ shouts are a disgrace. This is not the time, we need to stay united. The team is doing what it must in difficult circumstances, and hearing 500 fans come and say this to us away from homeI just don’t understand it.” These were Gattuso’s words, and he is not the first nor will he be the last Italy manager to vent his frustrations.
The harsh outbursts from national team coaches, whether still in charge or just after leaving, have occurred several times throughout history.
Luciano Spalletti’s harshest outburst came in the post-match press conference after Italy-Moldova, a match played as a resigning manager. Besides his mea culpa for the team’s performance, Spalletti took the opportunity to reiterate his stance against those who refuse the national team, in this case Acerbi.
“I hope that for those who refuse the national team, someone tells them they’ll never come back. Maybe I behaved badly in that response, but then there was a phone conversation.”
For Spalletti, there was also another very harsh outburst: Italy snatched a lucky draw against Croatia at the end of the group stage in the European Championship, advancing to the next round. Responding sharply to journalists’ questions, Spalletti let loose when asked about a “pact” made in the locker room.
“How old are you? 51. You still have 14 years of nonsense to go before you reach 65, to get to my age I talk to the players, I have ears and I have to see with our own eyes. What’s the problem? A pact about what? A pact for others? It’s a pact for us They told you and you’re right to repeat it.
Don’t take liberties that aren’t yours. These are the weaknesses of those who tell stories. There is an external environment and an internal environment, and if someone reveals internal matters, they harm the national team. I always talk to the players before every match.”
Antonio Conte, famous for his outbursts in press conferences at practically every club he’s managed, had a similar moment with the national team, just before the European Championship with the coach from Salento at the helm. Announcing his departure after the continental tournament, Conte lashed out at the clubs, accusing them of making decisions against him and not in favor of the national team.
“I was disappointed to see over these two years that everything was done either for Antonio Conte or against Antonio Conte, and not for the national team. It’s a shame because the national team belongs to everyone, not just me. If something needed to be done, it was for Italy and the Italians. It wasn’t a personal matter, but sometimes it’s more popular to focus on the name.”
Cesare Prandelli, the coach who led Italy to the final of Euro 2014, vented immediately after leaving the national team, speaking about Rossi and Mario Balotelli.
“I would make the same individual choices again. The biggest disappointment on a human level, still strong, was Rossi: he knew from the start what his role was, that he wouldn’t make the 23-man squad, but even he will eventually understand it was for the best. As for Balotelli, he has talent but he’s not yet a champion: the problem is he lives in the virtual world of what he wishes he could be…”
Marcello Lippi unleashed real fury against journalists before the round of 16 match at the 2006 World Cup against Australia.
“I’m not giving you the lineup, not to cause you problems but to cause problems for our opponents. Ninety percent of coaches take this approach, Hiddink included. Rather,” he added, raising his voice, “stop calling me in the evening for information. You are a disgrace, so it’s better if we just act like jerks…”
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in here.
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