Rick D’Andrea


In recent memory, there has not been a start to the Serie A season that has caused so much controversy in the dugout. With six coaches already saying goodbye to their respective teams, and more expected by the season’s end, how much pressure does a Serie A boss feel when he accepts a role in the hot-seat?

First to feel the wrath of the Italian media was Roma coach Luciano Spalletti, after only two matches of the 2008/09 campaign. Spalletti had led the Giallorossi for approximately four and a half years, and produced up-and-down results. But it wasn’t that the former Udinese boss didn’t have the right approach to the team, or the right balance of players, but instead a spate of poor performances did for him.

Missing out on qualifying for this season’s Champions League didn’t help Spalletti’s cause, as well as losing his first two league games, including a 3-1 drubbing at the hands of rivals Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico. 

The Lupi were the envy of many clubs – in Italy and beyond. And Spalletti‘s attacking formation could create chances at will, and pop the ball in the net when the pressure was really on. Add to this the Italian ability to defend, and Roma were accomplished at both ends of the park. 

Since Roma president Rosella Sensi identified Claudio Ranieri as the man for the future – and to resurrect the fortunes of the side – the Giallorossi have been flying. The flair that Spalletti’s troops once had has been toned down, and substituted for Ranieri’s results-driven style.

Next on the coaching chopping block was Atalanta’s Angelo Gregucci, who was dropped after four consecutive losses – the worst start to the season for the Nerazzurri in any competition in their history.

Much was expected from the Bergamo-based outfit, especially after almost qualifying for the Europa League. Despite Luigi Del Neri deserting the team and heading to Sampdoria, many still believed that the squad could be competitive under Gregucci. Reinforcements up front such as Robert Acquafresca been brought into the side, and on paper, Atalanta could at least challenge for a spot in Europe’s secondary competition.

Only one goal from the opening four matches though saw Gregucci go. His stint in the dugout was far from successful and has left fans hoping that new manager Antonio Conte can save the side from relegation.

Three draws against quality opposition and a 3-1 victory over Udinese at the Stadio Friuli put the Nerazzurri on the right path. Conte did help steer Bari back to Italy’s top flight, and the former Juventus midfielder will be expected to keep Atalanta above the drop zone.
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Perhaps the one coaching change that did not surprise followers of Italian football however was the departure of Roberto Donadoni from Napoli. Having taken over from Azzurri legend Edoardo ‘Edy’ Reja, Donadoni somehow managed to get the team into the Intertoto Cup, attempting to qualify for the Europa League and ultimately missing out.

And this is the moment when his job seemed to become less secure.

The former Italian national team boss had been bought a team, with president Aurelio De Laurentiis spending €50M over the summer. Players such as talented striker Fabio Quagliarella, Juan Camilo Zuniga, Jesus Datolo and Erwin Hoffer joined the Partenopei, knowing that they could help the club climb up the Serie A ladder and challenge for a top-six finish.

But just like the previous two men in charge, positive results were hard to come by, and Donadoni was told to pack his bags. The strange thing about the ex-Milan man’s departure was not that he had two victories to his name. What went against him was the number four in the loss column.

Installed in Donadoni’s place was tactician Walter Mazzarri, the man who brought Sampdoria to the dizzying heights of Serie A. The Blucerchiati decided to part ways with their successful coach at the end of last season in favour of a new direction under Del Neri, and Mazzarri remains someone who can bring success to whomever he coaches.

Proving this were his stints at Reggina and Samp, where good results were obtained. After a win in his first game, Mazzarri is already being proclaimed a saviour by the Azzurri faithful.

Recently Gennaro Ruotolo and Vittorio Russo were both added to unemployment queue, as Livorno president Aldo Spinelli decided to relieve them of their duties as Amaranti coaches. Perhaps the real mystery at Livorno though is exactly why two coaches were in charge of one Serie A club in the first place.

Not a single win in eight attempts saw the Labronici languishing bottom of the league, with little hope of getting off the bottom. Despite this poor start, the side’s playing style has been attractive to watch, and gained at least some credit.

Former Perugia, Udinese and Brescia boss Serse Cosmi has been given the reins at the Labronici, with the focus turning to salvation, more than European qualification.

Bologna coach Giuseppe Papadopulo is another coach joining Russo and Ruotolo in the dole queue. The team struggled under his leadership, and a lack of points meant that someone had to be held accountable at the Rossoblu.

Papadopulo’s job may have remained safe had the club remained outside of the relegation zone. But after slipping down the table after a 2-1 loss to Napoli, his fate was sealed.

Ageing stars such as former Italian international Marco Di Vaio cannot be expected to carry the hopes and dreams of the side on his 33-year-old shoulders. Others need to step up, and play their role effectively. Otherwise, new coach Franco Colomba could soon be another following Serie A from the comfort of his armchair.

What about those men who still have jobs – barely?

Milan’s Leonardo is the coach who is under the most pressure. The Rossoneri are currently sitting in mid-table, but this is because of their recent 2-1 victory over Roma. Otherwise, they have struggled to put the ball in the back of the net, only scoring four goals up until their game with the Giallorossi.

As a 1-0 loss at home to FC Zurich in the Champions League applied further pressure , calls came thick and fast to remove him from his post, and hire someone with more experience. However, a good 3-2 win at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid must surely have bought the Brazilian more time.

Poor results over the summer, plus Kaka leaving for Real Madrid and little movement on the transfer front raised serious questions about the club.

Maybe it was a bit rash, or that Diavoli fans have come to expect so much from their managers – especially under new Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti – but Leonardo’s head is wanted on a silver platter by some sections of the Milan support.

Newly appointed Juventus boss Ciro Ferrara was on cloud nine up until his side met Genoa. From there, a spate of draws, and an embarrassing 2-0 loss to Palermo has possibly also put his position in some sort of jeopardy.

The Bianconeri had recruited well over the summer, and started the Serie A season positively. After flogging Roma, the Italian press were calling the Zebras the real deal this season – a serious challenge to the likes of Inter for the Scudetto.

Just like the Milanistas, much is expected from the Vecchia Signora, and their fans have been blessed with success in the past. And just like Leonardo, Ferrara is generally unproven in the coaching ranks. His first venture on the bench comes with plenty of expectation, especially after Claudio Ranieri managed to get the team to second place last year.

It seems strange discussing two of Italy’s ‘big three’ teams as having managerial issues, but these are the pressures that are placed upon coaches to succeed. Anything other than a trophy at the season’s end is what is expected, demanded – and tolerated.

In one of Europe’s elite leagues, there is no such thing as second place being good enough. Tacticians are chosen based on what they bring to a club, and how the players interpret the coach’s vision. But it isn’t the coach that goes onto the pitch, and some blame still needs to be focused on the starting XI that take to the park.

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 Photo courtesy: Steindy