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Gianni De Biazi remains one of the coaches who has left an important mark on both Italian and Albanian football. With a strong professional profile, extensive experience and determined character, he achieved one of the greatest successes in the history of Albanian sports, leading the national team to an unprecedented level.
Today, at a delicate moment for Italy, preparing for the 2026 World Cup play-offs, his reflections on managing pressure and building team identity take on particular importance. De Biasi is known for his ability to turn ambitious objectives into concrete results, building disciplined and competitive teams.
In an interview for "Fanpage.it", he dwells not only on football, but also on his personal philosophy of work and sacrifice. "If I had looked for an easy path in football, I would have simply joined a team and that was it. To remain pure and honest, I chose not to use 'shortcuts', but to climb the mountain with a pickaxe in hand", he says, underlining his commitment to a difficult but fair path.
De Biasi also commented on the developments on the Italy bench, talking about the appointment of Gennaro Gattuso as coach. He also recalled the episode in 2016, when he was very close to leading the Italian national team. "I felt bad, because I had a long conversation and I was convinced that my candidacy had been chosen," he said, hinting at a missed opportunity in his career.
Mystery, in a World Cup play-off, how much is tactics worth and how much, instead, the ability to not be crushed by the weight of the jersey?
Let's say that both have a certain importance. Of course, you start first and foremost with the people who make up the team. They make the difference, both in terms of personality, technical quality and the contribution they make to the team. I believe that a good approach to this decisive duel helps to face the match in the best way. By starting to think and imagine a 'blue' and bright future, it will be easier to achieve the objectives.
If you were in the locker room today, what would be the first word you would write on the board to put the boys' minds at ease?
Before we get to that discussion, there is much more to be done. There are moral contracts that need to be implemented with the players who make up the team, those who I think are best suited to achieve the objective. I believe that this is the important aspect, because it serves no purpose to put a message on the board at the end. The concepts of team play must be introduced every day; that is, objectives, communication, cooperation, conflict management and shared responsibility. The rest are just words, with which this world is full.
Does it seem fair to you that a coach like Gattuso has been thrown into this situation, perhaps a little too early for some?
Genaro is an honest guy who has had different experiences over the years. Today he is facing a challenge, he and his staff, it is a challenge without return. The staff, except for Riçio, I believe it is the first time they have worked together and we hope that everything works out in the best way. After all, even in difficulties you have to give your best.
What do you think about it?
Gattuso has, above all, a great responsibility on his shoulders. He is a coach who has made a good path, although perhaps in some cases he has not been lucky, but he has experienced it with pride, highlighting all his Calabrian pride and stubbornness.
Did you expect to see him as Italy coach?
Gattuso could have stayed, honestly. He could have stayed, because he's someone who has lived that environment, he knows all the dynamics that revolve around the national team, it's an opportunity that doesn't come around often, so he grabbed it on the fly.
You too have been very close to the Italy bench...
Yes, I was convinced that I would be the national team coach in 2016. Then suddenly Giampiero Ventura passed me, with whom I also shared some pleasant moments at the table.
What happened?
I had several phone and personal contacts with the Italian Federation, who wanted to find a replacement for Antonio Conte, who had announced that after the European Championship in France he would go to Chelsea. On the contrary, I did not want any noise about this situation, because if I went to the European Championship as an 'away' player, I would lose a lot of money to my players in Albania. That is precisely why I always took care that everything remained in the most absolute privacy. Then suddenly they chose Ventura, who had been released by Turin. However, this episode left me very sad and I cut off contact.
After the experiences in Italy, Spain, Azerbaijan and Albania, how do you see Italy from abroad? Are we still the university of football or have we lost something?
No, I don't believe we are a football university anymore. I believe we need to adapt a little to what other football movements are, first and foremost the Spanish one. Of course, from the point of view of coaches, it is sending a lot around the world, growing the entire football movement.
What is the biggest lesson that international football has taught you?
It's the little things that make the difference. You have to constantly follow the 35-40 players you have under your watch, keeping in touch as if you were the coach of their club. It's the details that make the difference and then there are the moral contracts you establish with the players every time you see them and explain to them what you expect from them.
What does De Biazi do when he takes a break from football?
I usually travel and watch football around Europe. I read and follow the world that moves, then I use my bike to relax and keep fit. When I can, I go to my house in Sardinia to relax and dream.
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