New coach Fabio Cannavaro acknowledges ‘the psychological aspect is key’ for rescuing Udinese from relegation and has been receiving advice from legendary colleagues.
The 2006 World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner was drafted in yesterday to become their third coach of the campaign, as after Andrea Sottil was sacked in October, Gabriele Cioffi was also dismissed.
“I want to thank Cioffi and I spoke to him last night,” said Cannavaro in his press conference.
It is his first Serie A role as a manager, having only worked in Italy for Serie B club Benevento in a brief spell, along with clubs in China and the Middle East.
“Aside from the hunger I bring, there are certainly difficulties, this is a team with many players who speak different languages and communication is fundamental.
“The one concept we must all share is that there must be no fear. In recent games, I saw no physical or tactical problems, but I did see fear. The psychological aspect is fundamental, we need to get them to understand the history of this club, the importance of the fans who will cheer us on to the end. We’ve got to make as few mistakes as possible to achieve the objective of safety.”
Udinese have been a firm fixture in Serie A since 1995, but that is at risk as they are joint third from bottom with Frosinone on 28 points.
“A club that spends 30 years in Serie A is thanks to the sacrifices of a family that achieved something remarkable. The players must walk through the halls and see the shirts of those who passed here before them. If they don’t understand the importance of the club, then we must make them understand.”
Curious Cannavaro debut
The Friulani do have a game in hand, or rather 18 minutes plus stoppages, as Cannavaro’s debut will be picking up where Cioffi left off.
On Thursday, Udinese and Roma resume from 1-1 at the 72nd minute, which is where they were when Evan Ndicka was stretchered off and rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties.
It means a touchline reunion for World Cup winners Cannavaro and Daniele De Rossi.
“Football also means meeting former teammates and old friends, but these are fundamental games for us and I told the lads we must be more hungry than the opposition in every respect.
“I received messages from Fabio Quagliarella and Antonio Di Natale, two Neapolitans like me who left their mark at Udinese, and I hope to do the same.”
Although Cannavaro might not have much solo coaching experience at the highest levels, he did work with some of the best in the business.
“I tried to learn something from everyone, Marcello Lippi, Fabio Capello, Alberto Zaccheroni, Arrigo Sacchi, Giovanni Trapattoni and Dino Zoff, just to name a few.
“I have always been fond of the 4-3-3 formation, but it depends on the players at your disposal. We must recognise there are moments to attack and others to defend, as even Manchester City and Real Madrid have phases where they need to defend.”