Zambrotta – Synonymous to Steady Growth in FIFA U17 World Cup
Internet Desk: He has been rated as one of the greatest fullbacks in the history of world football. The Italian legend and the present Head Coach of Delhi Dynamos in the Season three of the Hero Indian Super League, Gianluca Zambrotta has already made his presence felt in Indian football with some phenomenal strategic football. In an exclusive interview with XtraTime, Zambrotta revealed a lot of interesting stories about his personal life, style statement, playing career, his agonizing moments and of course the FIFA U17 World Cup in India in 2017. Here goes the detailed conversation:
XT: In your playing career, you replaced a legend when you took the place of Paolo Maldini in the Italian line up. Now you’re replacing another legend in Roberto Carlos. This time as a manager. How is the pressure of taking up this job different from your playing career?
Zambrotta: No, I don’t feel any pressure. Last year Roberto has done a great job, but this year my objective is to match up to what he achieved or do better results than last year and hence I am pretty relaxed about it.
XT: Before coming to India, what were the ideas you had about Indian football?
Zambrotta: I knew about Indian football because my friends Del Piero, Materazzi and Luis Garcia had already spoken to me about the quality of football here and had updated me about the developments and talent and hence it wasn’t something new that I got exposed to.
XT: The U-17 World Cup will be held in India the next year. Any suggestions for the Indian youngsters?
Zambrotta: Of course it’s something very good for Indian football. The youngsters need to utilize this big opportunity and hopefully it will help India in discovering new talent that will help the steady growth of Indian football.
XT: How special was the moment when you won the FIFA World Cup in 2006? Can you recall the final moments?
Zambrotta: To win the world cup in 2006 was the most important moment of my life about football. Of course I will never forget the moment when we won against Germany, and then in the next few days we won the World Cup. It’s an unforgettable moment and I feel extremely happy to have lived that moment.
XT: I heard that you spend hours in front of your mirror grooming your goatee. Throw some light on it. 🙂
Zambrotta: [Laughs] yes you can also start to laugh, but a little bit only. I like to take care of myself and it’s important to look good and hence the self-care moments. [Smiles]
XT: Who are the Indian youngsters in Delhi Dynamos, you believe to be the future prospects of Indian football?
Zambrotta: Fortunately, in Delhi Dynamos FC we have a lot of talented Indian youngsters and I see a lot of prospect for all of them in Indian football. It would unfair to pick on one name as most of them are very talented and I see a bright future for them in the days ahead.
XT: You have had the experience of playing under the legendary managers like Marcelo Lippi, Roberto Donadoni & Frank Rijkaard. Which philosophy do you want to implement in your managerial career?
Zambrotta: My philosophy as a coach is to ensure that the whole team works hard each day in order to prepare for the match in the best way, and of course I would like it more if they also enjoy the match and their game while playing it.
XT: As manager, who is your idol and why?
Zambrotta: I don’t have any idol, but I have different things that I remember of them. I appreciate them for teaching me how to play like Lippi, Ancelloti and Capello. I learn a lot from tactical coaches as that is important to me and I respect Guardiola, and Napoli coach Sarri and about mentality I really appreciate Simione and Conte.
XT: Tell us a moment of sorrow and joy, which you believe to have changed the philosophy of your life.
Zambrotta: The best moment of my life was when my son Riccardo was born, and winning the world cup was a professional achievement that I would forever hold closest to my heart. As far as sorrows are concerned, professionally it was losing to France the European championship in 2000, and fortunately personally I have been bestowed with a happy life and hence I haven’t had any moment of sorrow that I consider worth being spoken about.