Hiring a Del Neri is just a step back. The problem with the management is that so far, they themselves have not known what they expect of the team. Their goals are unclear. And moving ahead with such confusion is what has led to the likes of Hiddink staying away. Even Benitez for that matter may have sensed the indecision, and at a time like that he rather deal with the incompetency he faces at Liverpool given how long he's been there, than come into a new environment and deal with the same issues. Yes, our management is to blame on some fronts. When you're looking to switch formations and have acquired players accordingly, it's only fair to give that set of personnel some continuity. A large portion of why our team's performances have been less than acceptable this season has been lack of continuity. Hopefully, Agnelli being close to Juve would help undo the mess we currently find ourselves in. I like the appointment of Marotta, he seems capable.
Zaccheroni is probably the most incompetent coach one could come across, but I have to agree with him when he says this squad doesnt need an entire overhaul. It's what we tried to do last year, by bringing in a bunch of new players without duly assigning what was expected of them. Couple that with injuries over the course of the year and you'll see why we haven't played as a unit.
Just as importantly, we must consider that we shifted the entire onus of team play on to new acquisitions like Diego - which only made it harder for them to perform, when really it should've been a gradual shift of responsibility from the old guard to the new. Even now, I think the board would be making a huge error in dismantling the team as a whole. What they should do instead is identify their core, while retaining the old guard to help keep the team together and let them gel into a formation, that currently is screaming to be a 4-2-3-1.
We all know Prandelli is a better fit for that formation because Del Neri would be more comfortable deploying a 4-4-2. It's only going to be another short sighted decision, quick fix solution because we're going to have to massively re-invest in the mercato, when all we should be looking at doing is plugging the holes on the wing and in defense to better suit the 4-2-3-1 - that too without a revolution in the squad. I wouldnt lay great emphasis on the fact that we finished 7th. That's got more to do with our mental preparation than quality at hand. This season has been an anomally and would not set us up for more disappointment if our approach is right. Which is why, the focus on youth this season is all the more imperative, with Del Piero soon to pass on the mantle as the crucible of this team. The likes of Giovinco, Diego, Caceres, Iaqo and new generation players need a coach to believe in them and let them play football the only way they know how. Unfortunately, Del Neri even if i was to avoid looking at his achievements or the lack of them, is not the kind of man who can breathe life into the new generation waiting in the wings.
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