Alanyaspor coach Francesco Farioli has opened up on his ‘fascination’ of Scottish football and his admiration for Pep Guardiola amid reports suggesting he hopes to hold talks over the Rangers vacancy, speaking to Sky Sports.
Farioli’s story is a very modern one.
Instead of actually playing the game, the 33-year-old honed his understanding of the sport while studying at university, getting his break as a goalkeeping coach at Italian lower league outfit Rosignano Sei Rose following his graduation.
Farioli quickly worked his way up the ladder; impressing behind the scenes in Qatar’s Aspire Academy and with Serie A outfit Sassuolo before finally going solo. He became the youngest manager in any of Europe’s professional leagues when appointed by Turkish outfit Fatih Karagumruk in 2021.
Now catching the eye with his possession-based, free-flowing philosophy at Alanyaspor, the Daily Record believe that Farioli is already looking forward to his next challenge. Farioli, alongside Peter Bosz and Sinisa Mihaijlovic, is ‘keen to hold’ talks with a Rangers side who fired Giovanni van Bronckhorst on Monday.
Alanyaspor coach Francesco Farioli keen to replace Van Bronckhorst at Rangers
“I’ve been a head coach for only three years and 12 years as a coach. One thing I’ve learned is not to look too far ahead,” Farioli explains; the timing of his Sky Sports interview certainly a little intriguing as the one-time Qatar U17 looks to make a name for himself on British soil.
“Of course I have dreams in the future. But I am so committed to my players and the club.”
Farioli, who honed his talents alongside one of Europe’s most highly-rated young coaches in Robert de Zerbi at Sassuolo, did make any direct reference to those Rangers reports. He did, however, express his admiration for Scottish football. The Old Firm, in particular.
“The passion you have is outstanding,” he adds. “My head of performance (at Alanyaspor) is from Liverpool. So we are used to speaking with him about British football. It’s like a religion to him.
“The atmosphere that not only in the Premier League but the Scottish league too is fascinating. I will mention the Milan and Rome derby matches in Italy, and let me say the Glasgow derby too. I think these games are the best for those stronger feelings.”
Farioli idolises Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
Farioli’s Antalyaspor side are currently ninth in the Super Lig table. Interestingly, no team in the division averages more possession than their 61 per cent (WhoScored)
“I see many of the same characteristics at Arsenal compared with that of my own team,” Farioli explains. “I will also mention Marcelo Bielsa.
“It’s important to build a team of players with passion for what they do. They must enjoy the ball, approach the game in a brave and proactive way. They need to show ambition because our demands are very high.
“I was really taken by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona team. I loved that style of play.”
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