The Frenchman saw the former Roma player grow at home and in the summer of 2003 he welcomed the Romanian to the Giallorossi: “No one at that time imagined they could become coaches. It’s too early to establish whether they will reach the top, but they have already shown important qualities”
He looked at them and cuddled them like an older brother, accompanying the renovation work of a team that had won the championship but was approaching a devastating economic crisis. Vincent Candela saw Daniele De Rossi grow up at home and saw the Ajax captain, Cristian Chivu, come in at a very young age, bought for 18 million after a quick negotiation. It was the summer of 2003: Fabio Capello’s last Roma were preparing their last major championship before downsizing. Candela, who was 30 years old, would remain in Trigoria for another year and a half before tasting English football (Bolton) and then ending his career in the Italian provinces, from Udine to Messina via Siena. Tomorrow he will watch Genoa-Inter with particular interest.
Candela, what effect does seeing De Rossi and Chivu coaches against each other have on you?
“It’s a bit strange. When we played together no one could have imagined that they would become two coaches. Then in Serie A, wow.”
Didn’t they already have the makings of a leader?
“Yes, on the pitch they weren’t afraid to take on their responsibilities. But at that stage of their career they still had to learn and refine their skills, including character skills. Daniele entered the Roma locker room with great humility, gaining everyone’s respect. So did Chivu, who immediately struck me with his professionalism: he often asked for information to understand, to study, perhaps to settle in more quickly.”
Who did you remain friends with the most?
“Well, about De Rossi. I’ve known him for twenty years and having lived in Rome I was able to hang out with him often. But I also have excellent memories of Cristian. He’s a very good person.”
How do you judge them as coaches?
“It’s too early to establish whether they will reach the top. But they have already shown important qualities, because they convey a recognizable identity to their teams. One likes ball possession more, the other verticality: they are two different ways of achieving results, equally valid.”
Which one do you like best?
“I prefer vertical football”.
So he prefers Chivu to De Rossi.
“I didn’t say this. In fact I’ll say something else: I really hope Daniele wins. For two reasons: firstly I would be happy for him, who would extend Genoa’s unbeaten streak and consolidate their ranking, and secondly for my Roma, who could overtake Inter.”
Will De Rossi return to Roma?
“I’m sure of it. One hundred percent. And it won’t go like the last time. When Daniele coaches his favorite team again he will do so as an expert coach, as a professional who can leave an imprint. In his first experience he accepted the job at a delicate moment, during the current season, above all out of love. In the long run he paid for it.”
Chivu also found himself catapulted into Inter with few Serie A benches behind him.
“In fact, I was very surprised by Marotta’s decision. Frankly, I would have expected a different profile after Inzaghi. But we must give Cristian a lot of merit: despite some disappointing results, he is doing an excellent job.”
Will Chivu’s Inter win the scudetto?
“I imagine an open fight with Napoli, until the end like last year. They are the best teams. But today I wouldn’t take Inter’s victory at Marassi so obvious: at least, I hope it isn’t.”
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