Former Lazio manager Delio Rossi gave an extensive interview where he discussed his current life and views on Italian football. He stated that he is now dedicating more time to his family, something he couldn`t do during his thirty-plus years solely focused on coaching. While not actively coaching now, he remains open to opportunities but is particular, having been approached both domestically and abroad.
Rossi expressed skepticism towards the concept of “projects” in football, believing the sport is fundamentally about the present moment. He even mused about potentially returning to coaching youth teams, which he feels aligns more with his identity as an “instructor” or “teacher” rather than just a “coach.”
Turning to current Serie A coaches, Delio Rossi mentioned individuals he feels a connection with. He highlighted Vincenzo Italiano as someone who has truly climbed the ranks, starting from Serie C, winning Serie B, succeeding at Spezia and Fiorentina before moving to Bologna. Rossi sees Italiano as having taken the challenging route and built his career step by step. He contrasted this with Palladino, who followed a different path, rising from the Primavera squad to the senior team and now managing Fiorentina. Despite their different trajectories, Rossi noted that both coaches possess clear tactical ideas.
He then focused on Thiago Motta, acknowledging his tactical awareness, which he attributes to his experience as a high-level player. However, Rossi offered a critical assessment regarding Motta`s potential move to Juventus: “Thiago Motta, for instance, has a feel for the game because he experienced the dressing room as a high-level player, but he hasn`t understood that Juve doesn`t afford you the kind of time you get at Bologna.” This implies that the pressure and expectation for immediate results are far greater at Juventus.
Delio Rossi also shared his thoughts on Marco Baroni`s work at Lazio. He acknowledged that the team was transitioning after the departure of key players following the end of a significant cycle. Rossi believes Baroni is a sensible choice for Lazio and stated that if he were a director, he would confirm him in the role. He praised the team`s play, particularly their identity shown in home matches. Rossi suggested that Baroni`s early success might have skewed current perceptions negatively, arguing that if the current form had been a trajectory of improvement after a slow start, the view would be much more positive. He drew a contrasting parallel with Claudio Ranieri, implying that Baroni is unfairly judged compared to others.
Finally, Delio Rossi commented on Antonio Conte and the possibility of him joining Napoli. Rossi speculated that Conte might be hesitant unless guaranteed an adequate squad capable of handling multiple competitions. He interprets Conte`s recent public statements as a deliberate provocation, a way of asserting his need for the right resources. Rossi questioned the notion of a “project” at Napoli if a manager like Conte were to leave after just one year, especially following significant success. He emphasized that signing Conte necessitates a commitment of at least three years to be meaningful. Rossi concluded by suggesting that if Milan had appointed Conte, they would have displayed a more resolute approach and would likely be competing firmly among the top four teams.