President Urbano Cairo portrays new Azzurri Coach Giampiero Ventura as 'cranky but smart', whilst opening to the idea of training camps.
The idea of taking players away from their clubs at a time when there were no international games scheduled belongs to Antonio Conte, but it was bitterly opposed by the clubs and it often came to nothing.
President Urbano Cairo portrays new Azzurri Coach Giampiero Ventura as 'cranky but smart', whilst opening to the idea of training camps.
The idea of taking players away from their clubs at a time when there were no international games scheduled belongs to Antonio Conte, but it was bitterly opposed by the clubs and it often came to nothing.
“He's a very smart man, very sensible, friendly and ironic,” Cairo told La Gazzetta dello Sport of the soon-to-be-appointed tactician. “I can't discuss his bad side, I was his best man at his wedding after all.
“Cranky? Perhaps he is, I'm not sure. To be honest I always found myself in agreement with him. I had zero problems in five years. Of course we had some normal discussions, but no serious arguments.”
Cairo was then asked if he ever considered the possibility of sacking Ventura.
“In November 2014 we tumbled into four consecutive defeats and a few other so-so performances. He was mortified, but I pushed him on: 'Come on Coach, don't give up, you're working wonderfully and we're going to get out of this just fine'.
“At the end of the season we were only two points away from the zone of the cups, and in the Europa League we were extraordinary.
“I believe in long-term relationships, although I work on them behind the scenes. We spent five years together, and had it not been for Tavecchio we'd have gone on until 2018. The contract had already been signed.
“What did he give to me? Other than the technical side of things, he inspired me in terms of management. For example, some of my transfer principles were taken from him.
“These include giving a Coach the bulk of his squad early, without putting too much trust in last-minute deals; looking for players who are, above all else, serious, the type that is fundamental to build a solid changing room, but without sacrificing their technical quality.
“Now Toro are a reality of Italian football. In five years we developed important talents and earned everyone's respect.
“What did I give to him? I think he became more concrete with us. Back at the times of Bari he may have got away with just a good performance, but here there was greater pressure on him. The environment itself had its demands, and I made sure the Coach would be driven.
“Over time, Ventura developed greater self-esteem. With Toro he started climbing positions in the championship, he discovered that he could compete in Europe, and he broke many taboos, including the long-awaited victory against Europe.”
Torino's reins will now be taken by Sinisa Mihajlovic, who had a troubled year as he attempted to rectify Milan last season.
“He's the right heir to keep growing. Sinisa is a warrior, he has the Granata 'terrible-ness' and he's brave with youngsters, which is fundamental for us.
“I'm very proud of our contribution to the national team. Opposing the training camps? I could never do this to Ventura.”