Twenty years have passed since the football world lost one of its most unique and passionate figures, Franco Scoglio. Known affectionately as `The Professor,` Scoglio wasn`t just a coach; he was a phenomenon, a wordsmith who forged his own footballing lexicon, and a man whose heart beat with an almost frightening dedication for one club: Genoa CFC. His son, Tobias, now opens the archives of memory, revealing a legacy of prophecy, unwavering loyalty, and an inimitable approach to the beautiful game.
A Prophet with a Whistle: The Eerie Foresight of Scoglio
Franco Scoglio`s presence was always larger than life, punctuated by phrases that became instant classics. «I don`t make poetry, I verticalize,» he`d declare, cutting through tactical jargon with surgical precision. Or the equally direct, «I hate Sampdoria and I don`t miss an opportunity to reaffirm it,» a sentiment many Genoa fans would echo with gusto. He was a character, certainly, but his words were often imbued with a deeper, almost mystical quality. Years before his passing, Scoglio made a chilling prediction: «I will die talking about Genoa.«
On October 3, 2005, this prophecy materialized with startling exactitude. During a live television debate with Genoa`s then-president, Enrico Preziosi, the animated discussion took a sudden, tragic turn. Amidst a heated yet civil exchange, Scoglio made an unnatural gesture, leaned back, and in the stunned silence of the studio, he was gone. A heart attack, on air, discussing his beloved Grifone. It was an ending so profoundly `Scoglio` that it cemented his legend even further.
Tobias`s Burden and Blessing: Keeping the Flame Alive
For Tobias Scoglio, the Professor`s only child truly immersed in the world of football, those final moments remain vivid. «Many, many times,» he recounts, reflecting on how often he re-watched the footage. «For the first 2-3 years it seemed like a horror movie.» Time, however, has transformed raw pain into poignant memory. The grainy footage, where his father appears to simply drift off, now serves as a testament to a life lived entirely for the game.
Tobias`s bond with his father was forged over endless kilometers and the shared thrill of the Genoa bench. Living in Kaiserslautern, Germany, he would travel 850 kilometers to be at his father`s side whenever `The Professor` returned to Genoa. «Dad would call me before agreeing with Genoa, saying `Hold on, I`m going to give you a surprise…` And the biggest surprise was always the Grifone bench,» Tobias fondly recalls. This visceral connection to Genoa, passed down through generations, is now embodied in Tobias`s own son, Francesco Scoglio Jr., a hopeful footballer who carries the legend`s name.
Passion Beyond Paychecks: The Genoa Obsession
Scoglio`s dedication was singular. Unlike many in the modern game, his coaching was not a pursuit of wealth but an unwavering passion. When his tenure with Genoa concluded, it was not merely a professional separation; it was an emotional devastation. «He would get distressed, afflicted, truly devastated,» Tobias explains. «Because he was a coach with total dedication, different from others: he didn`t work for money, but for passion. So much so that in 2001 he left a large part of his salary to the club. For Genoa. With other teams, he rightly took his money.»
This profound loyalty manifested in legendary anecdotes. Prior to a heated derby in April 2001, Tobias found his father at 4 AM, hunched over twenty sheets of paper and whiteboards, meticulously strategizing the lineup. Sleep was secondary to the tactical puzzle. «He didn`t even acknowledge me, he just said `Wait, quiet, quiet, I don`t know whether to put Giacchetta or Malagò further forward. Or maybe Ruotolo…`,» Tobias recounts, perfectly illustrating the relentless mind of a man possessed by the game.
The World Cup for the Grifone: A Sacrifice for Love
Perhaps the most powerful testament to Scoglio`s devotion was his decision to forsake coaching Tunisia at the World Cup. In January, with Tunisia already qualified and playing superb football, Genoa was languishing second to last in Serie B. The call of the Grifone was irresistible. He returned, orchestrating a miraculous turnaround and even securing a derby victory. His dream of saving Genoa and then joining Tunisia for the World Cup in Japan and Korea was, however, thwarted by offended Tunisian officials who refused a dual role.
He saved Genoa brilliantly, but the World Cup dream remained just that. «If he had started the season from the beginning, he would have been promoted to Serie A,» Tobias asserts, hinting at the depths of his father`s capabilities.
The Roads Not Taken: Juventus, Napoli, and a Lingering Regret
Scoglio`s unique talents did not go unnoticed by football`s giants. Juventus, in a brief moment of contemplation, considered him before Giovanni Agnelli’s successor, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, opted for Maifredi. Diego Maradona`s Napoli also courted him, only for Luciano Moggi to retain Bigon. These tantalizing possibilities never materialized, but another missed opportunity weighed heavily on the Professor. After a season with Genoa, the club’s president, Aldo Spinelli, offered him a chance to stay. Scoglio declined, a decision he later admitted privately was «the biggest mistake of his career,» as the following year, under Osvaldo Bagnoli, Genoa qualified for Europe.
It`s an ironic twist: a man known for his foresight, yet blind to the immediate potential of his beloved club`s future.
Scoglio`s Wisdom for a New Generation
Among the pantheon of his father`s memorable quotes, Tobias`s favorite remains, «I don`t make poetry, I verticalize.» It’s a philosophy he imparts to his own son, Francesco Jr., as the young aspiring footballer learns the beautiful game. The famous «21 ways to take a corner kick» also holds a special place, a testament to Scoglio`s blend of theoretical depth and practical, sometimes eccentric, application.
Would today`s Genoa benefit from a Franco Scoglio at the helm? Tobias firmly believes so. «I am sure that my father would do better than Vieira,» he states confidently, acknowledging the current challenges of a team that sold players without adequately replacing them. «Scoglio would save Genoa easily.» It`s a bold claim, perhaps, but one rooted in the unwavering conviction that the Professor`s unique blend of passion, tactical acumen, and sheer force of personality could cut through any modern footballing malaise.
Franco Scoglio`s legacy is not just a collection of witty remarks or impressive wins. It`s the story of a man who lived and died for football, particularly for Genoa. A visionary, a prophet, an uncompromising purist whose spirit continues to inspire, even two decades after his unforgettable exit from the grand stage.