"When I started my coaching career, it wasn't who I am now." In those days, I followed a rigid system that I had learned from Arrigo Sacchi: the 4-4-2. I remember that for that reason I rejected Roberto Baggio when he was in Parma. He was a '10', one of the best in the world, but I was so stuck to my scheme that I told him there was no room for him on my team. I wanted to play with two strikers and I didn't see how to fit a midfielder in that scheme.
Today, looking back, I know it was a mistake. If I could go back to the past, I'd tell Baggio: 'Come to Parma, we'll find a way to fit you.' But instead, I said, 'Sorry, Roberto, there's no room for you.' Here's how Baggio ended up in Bologna.
That experience marked me, and it was what led me to change my approach when I came to Juventus. There was Zinedine Zidane, another '10'. Where would he put it? Right or left? It was impossible! Zidane was the most important player on the team and deserved to play in his natural position. Then I understood that it was me who had to adapt, not the players.
Since then, my philosophy has changed. Now, I always build the system around the players' characteristics, not the other way around. I don't have a fixed style, I adapt to what I have. "
History of Carleto
"When I started my coaching career, it wasn't who I am now." In those days, I followed a rigid system that I had learned from Arrigo Sacchi: the 4-4-2. I remember that for that reason I rejected Roberto Baggio when he was in Parma. He was a '10', one of the best in the world, but I was so stuck to my scheme that I told him there was no room for him on my team. I wanted to play with two strikers and I didn't see how to fit a midfielder in that scheme.
Today, looking back, I know it was a mistake. If I could go back to the past, I'd tell Baggio: 'Come to Parma, we'll find a way to fit you.' But instead, I said, 'Sorry, Roberto, there's no room for you.' Here's how Baggio ended up in Bologna.
That experience marked me, and it was what led me to change my approach when I came to Juventus. There was Zinedine Zidane, another '10'. Where would he put it? Right or left? It was impossible! Zidane was the most important player on the team and deserved to play in his natural position. Then I understood that it was me who had to adapt, not the players.
Since then, my philosophy has changed. Now, I always build the system around the players' characteristics, not the other way around. I don't have a fixed style, I adapt to what I have. "
History of Carleto
