THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[maro]

I had nothing but respect for the man when he walked away from Roma; the problems came when he returned to calcio a season later.

[DCGweez]

I wasn't around much sporting news from 04-06 so i didn't follow it as closely as some. Perhaps facts came to light that i was unaware of. I have had an Aunt die in her early 40's of Cancer. Given the state of my Uncle for a few years, i'll reserve my judgement. People's mental state changes drastically week to week.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion of course. I'll judge the man on what i know of him. (Or perhaps as the media portrays him anyway)

[AS Collie]

[maro]

[arthurfonzarelli]

[Lupa]

I was intending to post my comment about Prandelli (leftover thought from yesterday), but I saw Stefano and others got there. As I recall, Prandelli left in the summer (in fact they were in Toronto), having only just started with the club. Sensi pleaded with him to only take a leave of absence to be with his wife, but he insisted on quitting. If I recall the timeline correctly it was about 6 months later that he signed on with Fiorentina. I don't think we had Spalletti at that point, but can't recall who was there -- in fact I've tried to block out a lot of that season. I know we ended up with Conti at the end, but who was there in the meantime after Voeller? Oh, it's all coming back to me now. I knew there's a reason I blocked this out.

Anyway, I don't hate him, but that didn't sit well with me, as I always wondered why he hadn't take the leave that Sensi had (apparently) offered. This is Franco I mean, not Rosella.

[DCGweez]

[Italiamia]

[p_maldini_3]

i'm starting to believe that he caused his wife to get cancer just so he could quit roma.

[maro]

I've never thought he used his wife's illness as a pretext for anything; I can easily imagine a couple's response to such things changing over time: when they first discovered the news, his reaction was the right and dignified one; a year later they'd presumably found new ways of coping and decided that it was better for him to return to work for whatever reasons (to 'normalise' their negotiation of the situation; to look towards a life beyond the promised end; etc.). And then, of course, Roma happened to go to pot the season after his abrupt departure. What I've never liked was the way he returned to calcio - Roma was looking for a manager and a man of Prandelli's fabled integrity should have felt some responsibility (as Lupa suggests, even if he didn't take the 'sabbatical' because, let's say, he had no intention when he left the game of returning to it so soon, he ought still have felt he had some unfinished business with the club and a certain obligation to it: Sensi treated him with great respect (how could he do otherwise); that might have been more adequately returned). Instead, when he returned, there was not even the slightest hint that he had considered returning to Roma to pick up the pieces; rather, he went at once to what for him was the much, much more attractive job at Fiorentina. Fair enough, but don't expect me to fall fawning at the feet of such a man's ostentatious 'integrity' and don't expect me to be holding out invitations for a return, now, to coach Roma: I hope he continues to do well with the Azzurri, but when it comes to Roma he can fuck off.

I also didn't like the way he conducted himself during the Mutu-transfer debacle. That the deal fell through was just one of those things, but the way Prandelli conducted himself reminded me of the way he returned to football - disrespectful towards a club to which he had good reason to show a certain quiet respect.

[maro]

And it's relephant, DCG, because, like Spags, Prandelli's a Tuskin'.

[DCGweez]

[DCGweez]

[RomaShield27]

I wasn't too impressed with the way Prandelli went back into calcio either with Fiorentina, but I wouldn't use it as a reason not to hire him now. He's head and shoulders above anyone we're likely to get now. Not that he was ever a realistic option.

Management to decide on new coach. All the big shots there, except Pallotta. Blanc not confirmed yet, Rudi Garcia still in the frame, while Mancini's name has come up again for some reason.

[AS Collie]

[DCGweez]

I'm so tired of that pederast Sabatini. Forget a manger, let's get a new DS then let him hire someone.

The only good news at Roma the last 3 weeks.

http://it.eurosport.yahoo.com/notizie/c ... um=twitter

[RomaShield27]

Mancini as "fan favourite"? Is that a joke? I don't believe that. Who was involved in this vote, what numbers?

http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Squadre/R ... 8884.shtml

[AS Collie]

[DCGweez]

I don't have a problem with Saba provided he's lower down the rung. He should be a 3rd tier guy. I fear he's calling the shots.

Has he brought us some nice young players? Certainly. Has he done much else? No. Look at Prade in Firenze blending youth and experience, Serie A experience.

For every Marquinhos there are two Cotes and for anyone who's pointing to Lamela well, we paid full price for him. I doubt we'd net another £5 million off his sale right now.

[AS Collie]