Buffon hails Coach Ferrara
Wednesday 15 July, 2009
Gianluigi Buffon hopes Pavel Nedved can join Ciro Ferrara’s staff, but bitterly criticised the Italian media.
“I think it is a reasonable proposal,” he said of the offer to recently-retired Nedved. “It would be the right way to move forward after eight years in which he gave heart and soul for the Bianconeri cause.”
The trio were teammates together at Juve and now Ferrara is taking on his first full season as Juventus Coach.
“He is very intelligent and well-prepared. He would be able to fulfil any role in the world of football. Ferrara was always very precise and demanding on the field, so it’s only normal he demands the same of his players.
“He can laugh and joke off the pitch, but on it he is a real tough cookie.”
Buffon has not had his best year, including a spell on the sidelines due to a back injury, and saw his status as world number one taken by Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
“Last season Julio Cesar had five extraordinary months, but I don’t see the need to praise him by insulting me. That is not the right way to be a journalist.
“It is true that I conceded many goals, but we must also see how they were let in. In some goals, if you excuse the expression, it was like shooting at someone who was sitting on the toilet reading a newspaper.”
The Juventus goalkeeper considered a huge proposal from Manchester City in January, but explains why he turned it down.
“I could not have easily left Juve for a club that to this day seems like a building site in progress,” he told Sky Italia.
“My family is happy in Turin and I would’ve thought very carefully before making a move like that.
“I’m glad I stayed at Juventus, especially as the directors have made us one of the few clubs to balance the books and have an auspicious future ahead of them.”
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