Gigi Fresco leaves the bench after 44 years, a team entrusted to his deputy Chiecchi. But he will remain in society. “I’m just taking a step back. Klopp also said it, every now and then it’s right to stop. In the future I always see myself at Virtus, the team of my life.”
They said about him that it would take a storm to make him go away. Also because Gigi Fresco was coach, president and factotum at Virtus Verona. Yes, it was. From 44 years to today, because tonight he announced that from Sunday he will no longer be on the bench as first coach. In his place will be his deputy Tommaso Chiecchi. “My love for Virtus breaks all records. I will stay in the company, I’ll just take a step back.” For years they called him ‘the Ferguson of Italy’. He lives in front of the sports centre: if he looks out the window he can see the training field. “I will always be the same, but I only hope that the change leads us to safety. I would go to Palermo on foot to avoid relegation.”
Gigi Fresco, let’s start from here. Does the change serve to give a shock?
“Any coach would have been sacked. We’ve really struggled lately, we’re third from last with 21 points and we necessarily need a shake-up. It’s an unlucky year. I hope the change will lead us to safety.”
Can we say, therefore, that Virtus is worth more than records?
“Absolutely yes. My love for Virtus breaks all records. In order not to relegate my team I would go to Palermo on foot. If these aren’t phrases of a lover…”
“I will change role. I have been on the bench for 45 years, I have never stopped. I will remain as manager. It is a slowdown, not a holiday.”
My love for Virtus breaks all records. In order not to relegate my team, I would go to Palermo on foot.”
He had said that he would like to reach 50 years on the bench. It’s a shame we can’t do it…
“It’s not like I can’t do it! I didn’t say that I wanted to coach for 50 consecutive years, I always have time to return. Who knows, maybe in July I’ll be back on the bench as first coach. In life, never say never…”
In recent times he has also had several problems with the Court of Auditors for the reception of migrants and money laundering. Did they influence your choice to take a step back?
“No, also because I know I’m in the right. It doesn’t worry me. They are accusations for a tender in which we had the right to participate. Therefore, I know I’m innocent. Rather, my mother isn’t feeling very well, yes, she gave me a little more thought. But if we were in the middle of the table I wouldn’t have done it. I repeat, I thought of the good of the team.”
What kind of coach is Chiecchi?
“A good, competent and very passionate boy. Already in the last few matches I had allowed him to lead the team. He is ready to do so and I hope that the results demonstrate his value. He is twenty years younger than me and has the energy that I had lost a little. Klopp also said it: ‘we are not eternal, taking a break every now and then is useful’. Well, the same goes for me.”
What do you bring from all these years to Virtus. He has been on the bench since 1982. The best moments?
“I mean the two promotions to Serie C. The first in Foligno in 2013, the second at home five years later. The stadium was full. They are unforgettable moments.”
You started from scratch. What was the secret of Fresco and Virtus Verona?
“One is certainly having surrounded myself with the right people. I have never been alone in management, there is a CEO and there are many figures who work for the good of the club. Even though I have never missed a training session, from the rookies to the first team. I believe that the secret was the desire, always constant and boundless, in addition to the fact that I have always believed in it. We started from scratch, I can say that we built on the sand, with a bit of healthy madness.”
And what went wrong this year?
“We have had many unfavorable episodes, unfortunate refereeing and some of our mistakes. Let’s say that we paid more than we deserved. But nothing is lost, we believe in salvation”.
During his journey he met many footballers. Is there one, above all, that has left the greatest impression on you?
“I would like to mention one who I have never trained, but who I met and who remained in my heart”.
“Yes, we took the course together for the coaching license. Roby is a lot of fun. A fun, humble, nice person. On those trips we talked a lot, almost never about football. He was a big fan of Bruce Springsteen, we almost only listened to him all the time. In the end, I became a fan too. And then there’s Boca. Every now and then we left on Sunday afternoon, so at night we arrived in Coverciano and watched the match. We were in the same room. Imagine Baggio singing the Boca chants and screams like an ultras. A show.”
In closing, a joke about the future. They always called it the “Italian Ferguson”. Will he be able to dub Sir Alex?
“I hope so, in life never say never…”
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