Un 'philosopher' Italian for the Nice: Francesco Farioli, just announced as the new coach of the French Riviera club Ligue 1, at 34 years old he already has a fair amount of international experience accumulated in TurkeyHis football is made up of ball possession, intensity, aggression in both phases of the game, verticality and presence in the opponent's half.
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In the past he has said that he draws inspiration for different reasons from De Zerbi, with whom he worked, and then from Spalletti, Terim, Gasperini, Guardiola, Arteta and Bielsa. The latter, the Argentine 'El Loco', is considered the 'philosopher of football', a definition that could also be applied to Farioli who at 23 graduated in Philosophy in Florence with a thesis entitled “Philosophy of the Game: The Aesthetics of Football and the Role of the Goalkeeper”.
A basis of studies that also made him a psychologist for his players: “Being a good motivator helps a lot”, he explained. In the Turkish Super League the balance of Farioli it's in chiaroscuro: all'Alanyaspor he focused on young players and achieved a deserved fifth place in 2021-2022 before being sacked last month, after a hard-fought salvation.
The career of Francesco Farioli, new coach of Nice
He had been assistant to The Great Atan before a stint as coach of the Karagumruk, between March and December 2021. The Alanya club then called him back to make him their coach and he repaid them by breaking the points record and achieving fifth place last season thanks to his offensive play and young players.
This year, however, he stopped at 15th place, on the brink of relegation. Originally from Lucca, a former amateur goalkeeper, Farioli was a goalkeeping coach under Roberto De Zerbi, first at Benevento (2017-2018) and then to Sassuolo (2018-2020). He arrived at Nice after the club had shown interest in him. Sampdoria of the new owner Andrea Radrizzani for the rebirth project in Serie B.
“Being the new coach of Nice is a source of immense pride”, said Farioli after signing the two-year contract, “I have known and followed the evolution of the club for years. The structures are there, as are the competent and determined people: all the conditions are there to do great things together. It will take hard work and humility, I can't wait to get started”.
The Tuscan coach succeeds Didier Digard on the bench that two seasons ago was occupied by the volcanic and controversial Christophe Galtier, now under fire for racial and religious discrimination when he coached on the French Riviera. And Farioli is ready to bring a new 'philosophy' along the Promenade des Anglais.
Article published on 2 July 2023 - 13:35
