The German football coach Alexander Blessin has been knighted by Fabio Capello after his successful start at the Italian first division club FC Genoa.
The coaching legend cited Blessin’s tactics as a lesson in how Italian football could emerge from its crisis – and caused Blessin to marvel. “Honestly, I never thought he knew my name,” said the 48-year-old German.
Nevertheless, Capello’s praise naturally honors him, emphasized the Swabian coach in an interview with “Sport1”. “I was very happy that he saw a few of our games.”
Since taking office in January, Blessin has managed to stabilize the defense of the club, which is in danger of relegation. Under his leadership, Genoa conceded just three goals in nine games – but only scored three goals due to a lack of conversion. Seven games before the end of the season, the club is in 18th place with 22 points, three points behind the first non-relegation zone.