In the high-stakes arena of Italian football, where financial muscle often dictates success, a refreshing narrative is unfolding in Udine. Gokhan Inler, a name synonymous with Udinese`s last golden era, has returned not as a midfield enforcer, but as the club`s Technical Director. His mission: to defy the odds, restore Udinese to its former glory, and challenge Serie A`s established giants with a strategy built on grit, astute player development, and a deeply ingrained fighting spirit.
Recalling a Glorious Past, Charting a New Future
Udinese`s Stadio Friuli, now known as Bluenergy Stadium, recently hosted a high-profile friendly, a spectacle Inler remembers from his playing days when Udinese regularly contended for Champions League berths. It`s a vision he`s determined to recreate. Back then, a relatively unknown Udinese side, fueled by collective strength and mutual respect, routinely overperformed. “When I played here, we were all young, no names, not so famous,” Inler recalls. “What gave us the strength was the group and how we respected each other. Then we could achieve a lot more than people thought.”
This philosophy forms the bedrock of Inler`s current strategy. Recognizing Udinese`s position outside the financial elite, he emphasizes building an unshakeable core. “Of course, budget-wise, we are not the same as the bigger clubs, but we have the heart, right?” This `heart` is the intangible asset Inler believes can bridge the gap, resonating deeply with Udine, a city known for its hardworking ethos.
A Pragmatic Approach to Talent Acquisition
Udinese has long been a model for smart business, buying young talent, nurturing it, and selling at a substantial profit. The club recently saw significant departures, including Jaka Bijol to Leeds and others like Lazar Samardzic, Nehuen Perez, and Lorenzo Lucca. Inler, however, is refining this tried-and-true model. While still targeting young prospects, his updated mandate is clear: sign players who already possess senior experience, ensuring they arrive ready to contribute.
“When a player comes in now, he already knows what we expect. We don`t want to sign someone and then they start playing football,” Inler explains. This strategic shift is exemplified by the acquisition of Lennon Miller, a Scottish prodigy with 76 senior games under his belt before his 18th birthday. Inler understands that talent needs time and the right environment to flourish, both on and off the pitch. “We need to give him time to settle. It`s not only the football on the pitch, also on the outside with his family. You need to settle them perfectly such that he has no doubts.”
The Leicester Lesson: A Paradox of Triumph
Perhaps the most compelling insight into Inler`s managerial philosophy comes from his own playing career, specifically his stint at Leicester City during their improbable Premier League title win in 2015-16. Heralded as a significant signing, Inler found himself unexpectedly sidelined by the meteoric rise of N`Golo Kante. He made only a handful of league appearances, a personal sacrifice that cost him a place in Switzerland`s Euro 2016 squad.
It was, he admits, “the most difficult year in my whole career.” Yet, this period of personal frustration also forged a profound understanding of collective dynamics. Inler observed firsthand how a unified dressing room, even with players not on the field, could drive unparalleled success. “Why did Kante become one of the best in the world? Because we, the players who didn`t play, pushed. The group respected that,” he recounts. “I had the chance to leave after six months, but I said `why change? I`m a fighter.`” This experience, a testament to individual perseverance for collective glory, now informs his approach to team building at Udinese.
Forging a Friulian Fighting Spirit
The early signs of Inler`s influence are promising. Udinese recently secured an exceptional victory against title contenders Inter Milan at the San Siro, overturning an early deficit to win 2-1. It was a display of precisely the heart and commitment Inler champions, holding Inter to minimal shots on target despite the possession disparity.
This isn`t just about winning games; it`s about reconnecting with the community. Inler has opened training sessions to supporters, fostering a deeper bond. “Udinese is a worker`s city,” he states. “They like that every worker and every player gives 100%. You can lose, you can win but you need to sweat the shirt… People respect you here… if you respect them.” This emphasis on mutual respect and unwavering effort forms the bedrock of the team`s new identity.
Challenging Serie A`s “monsters” is an arduous task. Yet, with Gokhan Inler at the helm, drawing on a unique blend of playing experience, strategic acumen, and the hard-earned wisdom from a paradoxical triumph, Udinese is not merely participating. They are building a team that, as Inler emphatically declares, “doesn`t hide. We will always fight.” The Friulian renaissance, it seems, has just begun.
Lennox Bray