Former Italy and Al Nasr boss Cesare Prandelli returns to management with Genoa

Sport360 staff 17:30 08/12/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Cesare Prandelli

    Cesare Prandelli admits it was the right time to “get back on the bike” when he was contacted by Genoa about their coaching vacancy.

    The former Italy coach, who led the national team to the final of Euro 2012 where they lost to Spain, has since had brief spells overseas with Galatasaray, Valencia and Al Nasr.

    He has not coached in Serie A since leaving Fiorentina in 2010 but said, in a press conference reported by Sky Italia: “I am very excited, the history of Genoa excites me. I had other offers but I wanted to wait.

    “The strong emotion was when the president called me. I understood that the right time had arrived to show that I really wanted to go back to coaching. It was like going back to the bike and cycling again.”

    Prandelli inherits a team lying 14th in Serie A and out of the Coppa Italia after a shock penalty shoot-out defeat to third-tier Virtus Entella.

    Striker Krzysztof Piatek, though, is the top flight’s joint leading scorer alongside Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo and Prandelli is encouraged by the talent at his disposal.

    “Serie A has changed but like all football, you must work with the strengths you have,” he said.

    “We have Serie A’s top scorer and we have to exploit that. There are also a lot of interesting young players.

    “We must have a system but not be dogmatic, we must be able to adapt to situations as the game progresses.”

    Prandelli will take charge of his new side for the first time against SPAL on Sunday.

    Recommended