QPR's Purported New Manager, Fancesco Guidolin: What Others Have Said

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With numerous reports saying that 52-year old Italian manger, Francesco Guidolin will be QPR's new manager, some backround besides what can be found at : Wikipedia/Francesco Guidolin. With the exception of Monaco, Guidolin has managed exclusively in Italy. (Teams Guidolin has managed: Giorgione, Treviso, Fano, Empoli, Ravenna, Atalanta, Vicenza, Udinese, Bologna, Palermo, Genoa, Monaco, Palermo.
[Most items below from the site, Italia Soccer- Channel 4]

Palermo - THE COACH: Francesco GUIDOLIN 2004-05 & 2006-In two spells at the club Guidolin has taken the side to levels they couldn’t have dreamed of. After guiding them up from Serie B in 2005 – thanks to the goals of Luca Toni – for the first time since 1973, his departure for Monaco was a blow. However, back at the helm for 2006-07, he pushed his side into the top three – and for a long while had them listed as realistic Scudetto contenders. Channel 4

At Monaco - Coach: Francesco Guidolin
Monaco's choice to replace departed boss Didier Deschamps in October 2005 raised more than a few eyebrows and drew criticism from the French Coaches' Union, who were upset to see an unknown Italian given the job. In truth, though, Francesco Guidolin enjoys a formidable reputation in his homeland and has more than earned his shot at a big club. A modest midfielder in his playing days, he first made his name by taking Vicenza into Serie A in his first year in charge, and he then won the Italian Cup with the unfashionable outfit in 1997. He followed that up by leading Udinese into Europe and, more recently, by masterminding Palermo's rise from Serie B side to UEFA Cup contenders in two seasons. A short spell at Genoa in the summer of 2005 came to an end when the club were relegated into the third tier because of financial irregularities. Chanel 4

October 3, 2005 - Guidolin poised to take over as Monaco coach: report
Italian coach Franceso Guidolin is reportedly poised to take over at the helm of French first division side Monaco to replace Didier Deschamps who resigned two weeks ago
Italian coach Franceso Guidolin is reportedly poised to take over at the helm of French first division side Monaco.
According to the daily Gazzetta dello Sport, The 50-year-old will fill the vacancy left following the resignation of former France captain Didier Deschamps two weeks ago.
Guidolin confirmed that negotiations were underway.
"I'm waiting for an answer from Monaco," he told AFP. "I can't say more than that. I can't put the negotiations in peril."
Monaco spokesman Richard Conte said an announcement concerning the new coach would take place "Wednesday or more likely Thursday" but refused to elaborate.
Guidolin, who coached Palermo from 2004-2005, had been appointed to promoted Serie A side Genoa at the beginning of the season. But he broke his contract when the club were demoted to the third division for match-fixing.
Monaco have been looking for a coach since Deschamps quit on September 19. Report

March 31, 2006 - I'm not going anywhere says Monaco coach
Monaco coach Francesco Guidolin, seen here in February 2006, insisted he was staying at the French club amid persistent speculation that he is set to be replaced by Lille boss Claude Puel
Monaco coach Francesco Guidolin insisted he was staying at the French club amid persistent speculation that he is set to be replaced by Lille boss Claude Puel.
"I have no doubts at all about my future," the Italian told AFP. "I've got another year on my contract. The club has already shown their faith in me."
But Guidolin was cagey when asked about his plans for next season, refusing to answer questions about possible new recruits for the 2006/2007 campaign.
"Right now I prefer to talk about this season," he said. "I'm not obliged to talk to the press about next season, Guidolin added, visibly flustered.
Monaco president Michel Pastor announced plans to extend Guidolin's contract in January, but the coach indicated he wanted to delay signing the deal.
"At this moment, it's not about money, that's not my priority," said Guidolin. "I don't need to talk about it now. I can talk with them later.
"Maybe it's better to talk once the championship has ended. But I'm not thinking of leaving."
Guidolin has struggled to revive Monaco's fortunes since taking over from Didier Deschamps in 2005.
The principality are languishing in the bottom half of the table and have no chance of making the Champions League this season, two years after reaching the final. Report

29/05/2006 - Official: Guidolin Back At Palermo
As anticipated by Goal.com as early as April, Francesco Guidolin is once again Palermo’s coach.
Guidolin had left the Sicilians last summer after two splendid years in which first the club reached the Serie A after an enormous absence, and then qualified for the UEFA Cup in its first season in the Italian top-flight.
A press-conference in which Guidolin explains the reasons that brought him to return to Palermo is expected during the course of this week. Report

Eurosport - 30/05/2006 - Capello confident
Palermo have reappointed Francesco Guidolin as their coach, the Sicilian club announced on Tuesday. Under Guidolin, Palermo won promotion to Serie A in May 2004 then finished sixth in the 2004-05 season -- their first in Italy's top flight for 32 years.
Guidolin, who spent last year coaching French side Monaco, replaces Giuseppe Papadopulo. Palermo finished eighth last season to earn a place in the Intertoto Cup.
"I restart the journey that was interrupted a year ago with renewed enthusiasm," the 50-year-old Italian was quoted as saying in Corriere dello Sport on Tuesday.
"I'm delighted to return to Palermo's bench, but I don't want to add anything else until I've discussed my plans with the club."
Guidolin has also had coaching spells at Vicenza, Atalanta and Udinese in Serie A.
Channel 4

Press Association - Apr 24 2007 - Sacked at Palermo
Palermo have sacked coach Francesco Guidolin with just five games of the season remaining.
The former Monaco coach has been under pressure after a dismal run that has seen the Sicilians fail to pick up a league win since the first weekend in February.
Sunday's 4-3 home defeat to Parma has seen the Rosaneri slip even further down the Serie A table and they now risk missing out on European qualification altogether, despite having spent much of the season in a Champions League berth.
Despite having earlier said Guidolin would not be dismissed at this stage of the season, club president Maurizio Zamparini performed an about-turn after meeting with players and managerial staff on Monday afternoon. This is a measure taken to save our season.
"This is a measure taken to save our season," said Zamparini.
"We have therefore decided that the responsibilities for the team will be handed to Renzo Gobbo, who will work together with Rosario Pergolizzi."
Gobbo was assistant coach under Guidolin while Pergolizzi has been in charge of the club's youth team.
Their task will be to try and salvage a place in Europe next season, with their first match in charge coming at Livorno on Sunday.
Palermo have slipped to sixth in the standings, just two points ahead of Fiorentina.
Press Association

April 2007 - Zampa disappointed by Guidolin - April 16, 2007
Palermo chief Maurizio Zamparini has declared that he was disappointed by his Coach’s performance in Sunday’s match with Inter.
The Rosanero failed to obtain their first win for over two months despite taking a 2-0 lead in the first half, and the President believes Francesco Guidolin could have made different decisions during the clash.
“I am pleased with the team’s performance, but disappointed with my Coach,” Zamparini told Rai Radio Anch’io on Monday.
“I had spoken to him during the week, telling him that he needed to be calm seeing as we had nothing to lose. We had to take some risks, fielding players that could make the difference,” he continued.
“Instead in the second half, when we were winning 2-0, he decided to replace a striker with a midfielder and this conditioned the team. You cannot play a defensive match against Inter.”
Zamparini was close to firing Guidolin after the 3-1 home defeat to Cagliari before Easter, but then changed his mind, declaring that he would end the season with the Sicilian club – no matter what happened.
“I think he is an excellent tactician, but he is unable to manage the team when he has to impose his game. He is great when he has to play defensive against big clubs,” explained the President.
“Maybe there just isn’t the right Coach for me, Guidolin could have been the person, but he is too sad to work with me.
“However, I understand it isn’t easy to find a person who can keep on smiling despite my statements. I like Guidolin from a human point of view, but last night I told him that he was a sissy.”
Zamparini also reiterated that he is looking for a new Palermo President, although in the meantime he is planning the signings for next season.
“I need a successor, this is not due to the results but only to the fact that nothing has changed in football and I am tired.
“In any case, I am studying the next moves on the market and I hope to sign important players who can strengthen the squad,” concluded the controversial Rosanero. Soccer Italia

Brief Palermo Return - May 2007 -Guidolin back in charge at Palermo
Francesco Guidolin has been reinstated as Palermo coach after being sacked last month.
It is the third stint in charge of the Sicilian club for Guidolin, who had been replaced on an interim basis by his assistant Renzo Gobbo, following Sunday's 3-2 defeat at the hands of an already-relegated Ascoli.
"Palermo announces the revocation of the sacking of first team coach Francesco Guidolin, fitness coach Adelio Diamante and goalkeeping coach Lorenzo Di Iorio," read a statement on club website www.ilpalermocalcio.it.
"Reserve team coach Rosario Pergolizzi and goalkeeping coach Roberto Corti have on the other hand been removed from their posts." Report

Reuters - May 14, 2007 - Soccer-Sacked Guidolin returns to coach Palermo
Palermo have reappointed former coach Francesco Guidolin for the last two league matches of the season, the Serie A club said on Monday.
Guidolin was sacked as coach in April and was replaced by his assistant Renzo Gobbo after a poor run of form which dragged his side out of the Champions League places.
However, Palermo have failed to arrest their slide and lost 3-2 at already-relegated Ascoli on Sunday. They lie in seventh spot, the final UEFA Cup place, but face a battle to stay there.
"Palermo announce that they have revoked the sacking of Francesco Guidolin," a statement on the club Web site (www.ilpalermocalcio.it) said.
Guidolin will be in his third spell with Palermo. Under him, the Sicilian club won promotion to Serie A in May 2004 and then finished sixth in the 2004-05 season.
Guidolin spent last season at French side Monaco before returning to Palermo in May 2006.
He is the fourth Serie A coach to sacked and then reappointed this season. Reuters

At Monaco "Picking up the pieces" - Tuesday 8 November, 2005
Slowly but surely Francesco Guidolin is picking up the debris at the Stade Louis II and rebuilding a house that resembled little more than a pile of rubble when Didier Deschamps stormed out of the principality in September.
Disputes between the former France captain and Monaco’s top brass had trickled down to the training ground where tensions among the players ran so high caretaker boss Jean Petit said at one stage: “If they want to fight each other, I’ll be the ref.”
On Sunday, Monaco presented a united front at the Parc des Princes, taming Paris Saint-Germain with a battling display and finishing the goalless draw by far the stronger of the two teams.
Leading by example was Monaco’s wholehearted defender Gaël Givet, whose exemplary performances over the past three years have seen him emerge as one of Ligue 1's leading players. Having kept Pedro Pauleta quiet for 90 minutes, the France international spoke to channel4.com about the post-Deschamps era and life under Guidolin....
"....What has changed since the departure of Didier Deschamps?
There haven’t been wholesale changes, even if Francesco Guidolin is starting to impose his style. I think we are making progress under him. The most important thing he has done has been restoring the team spirit. When he arrived the club was heading towards disaster. But he has quickly made us face up to our responsibilities and he has got us playing like a team again.... Channel 4

Andrea Barzagli & Cristian Zaccardo (Palermo): Azzurri heirs
Italy have always been renowned for their world-class defenders....The next generation of Italian defenders include talented youngsters such as Messina’s Alessandro Parisi, Fiorentina’s Giorgio Chiellini and Lecce’s Under 21 starlet, Ermino Rullo. Want more? Add Parma pair Cesare Bovo and Daniele Bonera to Valencia’s Emiliano Moretti and Roma’s Matteo Ferrari and you have the Azzurri’s defensive set up for the next decade and more.
However, the next Maldini and Baresi could be Palermo’s defensive pairing of Andrea Barzagli and Cristian Zaccardo. Both are 23, both have been linked with Juventus, both have starred in the same successful Under-21 side and now both have been called up to the full Azzurri squad.
Cristian Zaccardo arrived from Bologna over the summer and his imperious form and unquestioned talent has attracted the attention of Italy Coach Marcello Lippi. But it is Francesco Guidolin, his early mentor at Bologna and now Palermo, who Zaccardo really admires.
“'I was really happy to have been called up to the national side for the Finland game because I've played from U-16 level all the way up to the U-21s but I didn't expect to be called up for the full squad so soon,” he admits. “It is due to Guidolin and the team, whose results have attracted Lippi’s attention. Clearly I hope to get my Azzurri career off to a good start but before everything, I have to play my best for Palermo.”
Zaccardo also knows that it will not be easy to remain in the Italy side because there are many more established players ahead of him. “If I’m here, it’s not only because others have dropped out but also because I have shown that I can handle the big stage in Serie A...”- April 2005 Channel 4

2003 -Nice man Mazzone Roberto Gotta
Carlo Mazzone's best traits, his avuncular empathy with others and his total openness and apparent honesty in dealing with issues, may have proved his downfall during a long career spanning more than 34 years. ..
Now in his third stint at the helm of Bologna, Mazzone took over from Francesco Guidolin only days before the start of the season ('never go back' has apparently no translation in Italian, although we sarcastically refer to people who actually do that as 'warmed up soups').
Guidolin had been undeservedly under attack from fans - irked by his refusal to play an out-of-form Beppe Signori in some matches lat season - and had endured an uncertain summer. When the club sold striker Julio Cruz to Inter and highly-rated defender Marcello Castellini to Parma, things came to a head. Guidolin left, with few people mourning his departure, more so when it was announced nice man Mazzone would replace him.
Ironically, the sale of Cruz and Castellini, which precipitated Guidolin's departure, brought those very fans to share his same feeling that Bologna lack ambition... ” . . ESPN

May 18, 1999 - Guidolin wants new deal with Udinese
Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin has confirmed that he wants to extend his contract at the club until 2002.
The former Vicenza leader has been in charge at Udine for one season and guided the club to UEFA Cup contention. A 2-1 defeat at home to Perugia on Sunday has dented their prospects but Guidolin is seeking an extension to his two year deal with the club.
Guidolin took over from Alberto Zaccheroni last summer and has kept the club in contention in Serie A's top half all season. He has been regarded as success at Udine as Guidolin's predecessor has taken AC Milan to the brink of the championship in his first season as coach after seven years at the club and was regarded as a difficult coach to follow. Udinese also lost two influential players in Thomas Helveg and Oliver Bierhoff to the Milan club last summer making any new coach's task even harder. Report

Feb 2 2007 - Policeman killed, Italian matches suspended
By Wladimir Pantaleone www.gazzetta.it
PALERMO (Reuters) - Italy indefinitely suspended the country's international and domestic soccer matches on Friday after a policeman was killed during clashes at a derby game between Sicilian clubs Catania and Palermo, authorities said....
Friday's match, which Palermo won 2-1, had been suspended for more than a half hour after smoke -- possibly from tear gas outside the stadium -- made play impossible.
Palermo coach Francesco Guidolin summed up the mood.
"I am very disillusioned, it can not go on like this," he was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport's Web site ( www.gazzetta.it ).
"What has happened tonight offends sport and a beautiful and civil city like Catania. It can not go on like this. If we do not recapture certain values, it can not go on." Report