Cristian Zenoni: “Prandelli influenced me the most”

From player to coach: a step that is now normal in the world of football. When did you become interested in the coaching bench? At the beginning of my football career I didn't think about it, but over time I started to think that it would be nice to stay in the world of football even after my career was over. I like being on the pitch and working with the boys, so I wanted to give it a try.

You gained your first coaching experience at Monza and have now landed at FC Südtirol. What atmosphere did you find here? The club is very organized, you can work well here with players who are very willing to learn. The prerequisites for a successful championship were there, but at first we had our difficulties, but over time we got better together and now want to continue on this path.

You have met numerous trainers throughout your career. Which one do you particularly remember? Certainly Cesare Prandelli. He was my coach in the youth department of Atalanta Bergamo and then went on an incredible path that ultimately brought him the position of coach of the Italian national team. Of course, I also have fond memories of trainers like Novellino, Vavassori and Lippi. But the thing with Prandelli was something special - also because he thinks similarly to me when it comes to football.

You mentioned Atalanta Bergamo's youth department, which is a real talent mine. What is the secret recipe? There is no secret recipe or anything like that. But Atalanta always manages to be excellently organized and also to hire people who are masters of their craft. You can then see the results in the first team. This year, numerous young talents made their debut in Serie A, even at an extremely young age. Atalanta have been working at this level for years, so it's no coincidence.

Let's get back to FC Südtirol. What impression did you get of the first team? FC Südtirol is a great group. The basic requirements are therefore met. Maybe the necessary bit of luck has been missing so far to give the season a different direction. In any case, the qualities are there to make a leap forward in the table.

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Cristian Zenoni: “Prandelli influenced me the most”

He played almost 300 Serie A games in his active career with Atalanta, Sampdoria, Bologna and Juventus. He was even given the honor of lifting a championship trophy twice. Cristian Zenoni has now landed in Bolzano, where he is currently looking after the FC Südtirol Berretti team. An interview.

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