In the often-predictable world of professional football, certain figures emerge who defy easy categorization. Alberto Malesani is undeniably one such individual. A coach whose career trajectory was as vibrant as it was varied, marked by stratospheric highs, intriguing `what ifs,` and an unwavering commitment to his own principles. His journey, from a multinational corporate executive to a celebrated football manager, then an acclaimed winemaker, and finally a serene elder statesman of the game, paints a portrait of a man who truly lived life on his own terms.
The Milan Dream That Never Was
The year was 2002. Alberto Malesani, then at the helm of Hellas Verona, found his team punching above its weight, sitting commendably seventh in Serie A. His captivating brand of football had caught the discerning eye of none other than AC Milan, a club he had adored since childhood. A meeting with Milan’s influential administrator, Adriano Galliani, confirmed their interest: “We are following you. If you perform as well in the second half of the season as you did in the first, we`ll talk at the end of the season.”
It was a tantalizing prospect for the sole Milanista in his hometown, a dream almost within reach. Yet, destiny, as it often does in football, intervened with a cruel twist. Verona`s form plummeted, culminating in relegation. The call from Milan never materialized. Carlo Ancelotti, who had recently taken over the Rossoneri, remained in charge and, perhaps with a wry smile from fate, led the club to a Champions League triumph the very next year. Malesani, reflecting on this pivotal moment, harbors no regrets. He acknowledges it as a potential turning point, a fork in the road after which his career, while still robust, never quite scaled the same consistent heights of early success.
Alberto Malesani with Hernan Crespo during his triumphant tenure at Parma in 1999.
The Golden Age of Parma: A `Crazy` Team`s Triumph
Before the Milan near-miss, Malesani had already etched his name into Italian football folklore. Just three years prior, in 1999, he orchestrated one of football`s most astonishing feats. Leading Parma, he secured the Coppa Italia, UEFA Cup, and Italian Supercup within a dizzying span of 100 days. His team was, in his own words, “pazzesca” – crazy. And with good reason.
The squad was a veritable galaxy of stars: Gianluigi Buffon guarding the net; a formidable defensive trio of Lilian Thuram, Néstor Sensini, and Fabio Cannavaro; dynamism on the flanks with Stefano Fuser and Paolo Vanoli; a midfield engine room featuring Dino Baggio, Alain Boghossian, and Juan Sebastián Verón; and a lethal attacking partnership of Hernán Crespo and Enrico Chiesa. Malesani`s football was modern, spectacular, characterized by relentless pressing and intricate overlaps. While the coveted Scudetto remained elusive – perhaps, he muses, the club environment wasn`t quite ready for such a monumental step – the achievements of that Parma side under his guidance are an enduring testament to his tactical acumen and inspiring leadership.
From Corporate Ladder to Football Pitch: A Career Forged by Passion
Malesani`s journey into professional football was far from conventional. He wasn`t a former player transitioning into coaching, but a shrewd professional who made a radical career pivot. Having held a director-level position at a multinational company like Canon, he chose to abandon the corporate world to chase his true passion: football. He started at Chievo, diligently working his way up the ranks, impressing at every turn through the sheer quality of his team`s play.
His Fiorentina tenure, preceding Parma, was equally impactful. He not only won over the fans but also commanded the fierce loyalty of his players, including legends like Rui Costa and Gabriel Batistuta. This unwavering support was evident when the squad sided with him during disputes with then-president Vittorio Cecchi Gori. It was this very style, this ability to inspire and deliver thrilling football, that caught the attention of Parma`s owner, Calisto Tanzi, paving the way for his historic treble-winning period.
Malesani overseeing his Verona side during a match in 2001, a season that saw him almost land the AC Milan job.
The Unconventional Spirit and Later Career Nuances
Malesani candidly admits that after his initial dazzling success, his career trajectory became less consistent. He coached eleven different Italian clubs, yet struggled to consistently replicate the “alchemy” that had defined his early triumphs. His methods, he insists, never changed; it was perhaps a question of finding that elusive emotional connection. He famously became known for his fiery, animated press conferences, easily discoverable online, which he concedes might have played a role in his career`s uneven path.
However, Malesani offers a deeper explanation: his steadfast refusal to play the political game. He never sought “important sponsors” or cultivated relationships with the sport`s power brokers. “I was in football, but a bit on the sidelines. It`s my character,” he explains. His commitment to effort, rigor, passion, and a “bit of healthy madness,” combined with an unyielding desire to remain a “free man, and therefore a free coach,” meant he wouldn`t “sing in the choir.” This independence, while potentially limiting career opportunities, ensured his integrity and peace of mind.
From Pitch to Vineyard: An Unexpected Vintage
As his coaching career wound down, Malesani embarked on yet another fascinating chapter: winemaking. The seed for this venture was sown during a UEFA Cup trip with Parma to Bordeaux in the spring of 1999. Captivated by a visit to a famous winery, he harbored a desire to become a wine producer. Years later, he acquired land, absorbed the wisdom of an oenologist, and successfully established his own vineyard, earning significant recognition before eventually selling the enterprise. It’s a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to cultivate success in vastly different fields.
Reconnecting with the Beautiful Game and Finding Serenity
For a period, Malesani experienced a “feeling of rejection” towards football. But the passion, like a dormant volcano, eventually reignited. He credits the new generation of Serie A coaches – names like Italiano, Baroni, and Fabregas – for drawing him back. He now studies their tactics with the intensity of a “tactical maniac,” staying updated and even mentally strategizing how he would confront them on the pitch. It`s his way of staying connected, a profound appreciation for what he considers the world`s best coaching school.
Today, Alberto Malesani’s life is a picture of profound serenity. His days are filled with the simple, yet profound, joys of family, friends, morning golf, and spirited card games – briscola or tressette – at the local osteria every afternoon. He revels in the challenge of these games, even participating in tournaments, guided by friends he affectionately calls his “masters.” Win or lose, the day culminates in a convivial dinner at a trattoria with his companions. For Malesani, this is the essence of happiness, a well-deserved tranquility for a man who navigated the turbulent waters of football with an independent spirit and an unyielding zest for life.