The Nerazzurri - Regina delle provinciali

[deejay10]

Tuesday, 14th July, 2009.

I sat at my desk, staring absent mindedly out of the window, until a breaking news story on the TV in the background caught my attention.

“I’m here outside the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia where a spokesman for the Nerazzurri has reported that manager Bortolo Mutti has been sacked. Chairman Alessandro Ruggeri has announced an afternoon press conference, when, he has promised fans, a new manger will be announced.”

“I managed to approach the Chairman as he was walking from the car park to a hastily arranged board meeting, but he was not in the mood to answer questions. He did have this to say though,

‘We are keen to bring European football back to the people of Bergamo, and to do that we must revitalise the spirit and structure of the club. That is all.’

“Many names have been linked with the job, but the press or bookmakers have no clear favourite, and Ruggeri’s somewhat cryptic statement has done little to end the guessing games. We eagerly await the press conference to see who the new appointment is.

This is Alberto Poli from The Bergamo Football Gazette reporting at a shocked and excited Atleti Azzurri d'Italia.”

I, Marco Frigerio, 48, a highly nenowned sports scientist specialising in football, and a relatively new Bergamo resident and Atalanta supporter was shocked. Mutti had only just been appointed in January, and had done well to stabilise the club, as well as bring in some quality players since the end of the last season.

I had just completed my life’s work two months earlier, a hugely detailed and somewhat controversial study into optimum player conditioning and training methods. My publication had also included an in-depth study into sports psychology and fitness, and its effects on tactics and performance in football. I had been forced to spurn many lucrative job opportunities along the way, including head physio at the renowned Milanello training complex, to dedicate my life to this study.

The news of the sacking had barely begun to sink in when the telephone rang.

“Hello, can I speak to Marco Frigerio please ?”

“This is Marco speaking, how can I help ?” I replied, curious.

“Hello this Carlo Osti, Director of Football at Atalanta B.C. This has been a chaotic morning, so please excuse me, as I get right to the point. Here at Atalanta we have been admirers of your work for some time Mr Frigerio, and as a change in club policy we are conducting recruitment interviews."

"We know you are a resident of Bergamo, and so would it be possible for you to come to the ground today to meet with the board, regarding a position at the club. We have been keen followers of your work Mr Frigerio, and we know you have turned down physio positions at other Serie A clubs before, but it would be an honour if you can meet with us and hear what we have to offer.”

I was taken aback at first, but quickly regained my composure to give him an answer.

“Yes of course, I will come to the ground as soon as possible.”

“Thankyou, and see you soon.” Warmly replied Mr Osti, and then promptly hung up.

In the haste of the phonecall, I just realised I hadn’t even asked what role they had approached me for. With more confusion than anything I set off for the ground.

[deejay10]

All was to become apparent a few hours later. After meeting with the two Directors of Football and the Chairman I was introduced to the man who had specifically asked for my expertise in the first place. He entered the board room with a quiet confidence and assurance, and sat down quietly before the chairman, Mr Ruggeri gave him a short introduction.

“Marco, please meet Mr Glenn Strömberg, former Atalanta player for many years, and a former Swedish international footballer. We have decided to appoint Glenn as the new manager, and he has many new ideas he would like to bring to the football club, with big changes planned both on and off the pitch. Please use the board room to introduce yourselves, and I will let Glenn speak to you about his plans for the club.”

The chairman and his directors then left for his office, leaving me with the newly appointed stern Swedish manager.

“Marco, I have been an avid reader of your articles and reviews for a long time now. And even before negotiations were complete regarding my contract here, I had you in mind as a member of my staff. I would like you to be the head of the club’s medical department. “

“But I have not only been an admirer of your innovative medical studies, but also your tactical, coaching and player review articles. I would like you to be my right hand man tactically and help me to run all the key areas of the club, including the players fitness training regimes, as well as helping me plan tactically for matches, and work with the scouting team, myself and the directors to shape the club’s transfer policy.”

I spoke in-depth with Glenn for two more hours, about the fitness and tactical sides of the game, and how I could apply important revelations from my studies to the players. Following the long discussion, Glenn had convinced me that this was the right move to take for my career. Contracts were quickly signed soon afterwards, and I joined the chairman, directors and newly appointed manager for his first press conference.

During the press conference, Strömberg stated that he was keen to establish an attractive, attacking style of football at the club. Transfers would be very carefully considered, and the management team were looking at building a bright future at the club. Due to the club’s finances, the manager stated he would have to be a shrewd operator in the transfer market, and that he would be specifically looking for young talents, alongside certain experienced players.

I was still in a daze at how quickly things had moved today, and so missed most of the questions at the press conference. After meeting with the press, I returned for more detailed discussions with the management team and didn’t return home until the early hours of the morning, and then quickly fell fast asleep.

Untried Swedish Rookie Appointed as Manager of Atalanta B.C

Today Atalanta chairman Alessandro Ruggeri shocked fans by appointing former Atalanta and Sweden midfield general Glenn Peter Strömberg as the new manager of the club, to replace recently sacked Bortolo Mutti.

Strömberg, capped 52 times for Sweden in a successful career, has previously been working as an expert commentator for Sveriges Television, for Viasat on UEFA Champions League matches and for sports betting site Expekt.com as an expert.

He has no managerial experience, although that didn’t stop him being linked to succeed Lars Lagerbäck as head coach of the Sweden national side.

More to follow about this unusual and surprising appointment.

Alberto Poli

The Bergamo Football Gazette

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Thanks to Amaroq for the inspiration (and format!) to write this. Thanks to Slothuus for the idea to use former club legends as manager names.

Italy, Spain, England, France, Germany, Portugal and Holland loaded. Large database, all players from Africa, South America and Europe loaded.