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| Atzori: I rejected Zamparini |
Wednesday 10 June, 2009 |
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New Coach Gianluca Atzori insists he can make Catania better than they were under his predecessor Walter Zenga.
The 38-year-old, who is making his debut as a top flight tactician, has already been compared with Barcelona Coach Pep Guardiola.
He replaces Zenga, the former Inter goalkeeper, who left Catania last month and took charge of local rivals Palermo.
Atzori used to play for the Rosanero and told La Gazzetta dello Sport Maurizio Zamparini actually offered him the bench at the Renzo Barbera.
“Zamparini called me some weeks ago and he asked me if I was free. I said that I had already given my word to another club in Serie A and that for me a handshake is worth just as much as a signature.
“I was flattered, but I would never have renounced the decision I made to take charge of Catania. Also with Pietro Lo Monaco I know that I will be able to become a Coach with a capital C.
“Focusing on young trainers is in fashion at the moment. It's perhaps the Guardiola or Allegri effect.
“But I believe in the quality of the work I did with Ravenna. We were fourth from bottom and arrived a step from Serie B,” Atzori explained.
“I only have age in common with Guardiola. We were born in 1971, less than two months apart. As for the rest, there is no comparison.
“He has won the championship, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League in a single season. I finished third in the Prima Divisione, but I have a great desire to improve.
“Survival is our primary objective. The fourth championship in a row in Serie A is a wonderful target.
“We will look to improve our position in the table. We have to play as Catania to become a reference point among the provincial teams.”
When asked to describe the trainer he most resembles, Atzori said: “I inherited the defensive part from Walter Novellino and the management of the group from Sergio Santarini.
“And then there is Silvio Baldini, to whom I am eternally grateful, because he started my career as a Coach,” Atzori concluded.
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