“You can’t be missed if you don’t go away.”
That quote, often used by former American professional wrestling manager and booker James E. Cornette, couldn’t be truer for current Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
The coach made his name with the Ligurian side between 2006 and 2010; and since returning in 2013, has solidified his status as one of the club’s best coaches of the modern era… if not ever.
In his time as Grifone coach, Gasperini has secured 95 wins, 57 draws and 74 losses. Although it is far from an amazing record, Gasperini has continued to keep Genoa both competitive and in Serie A during his time.
Gasperini’s Genoa are in the midst of a six-match unbeaten run which includes victories over Chievo, Juventus and Udinese. In fact, it was the team’s wins over Juventus and Udinese that were the club’s most impressive.
While Genoa defeated reigning champions Juventus at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, it was a win that was inspired by a dogged defensive performance. Gasperini’s stroke of genius to deploy 17-year-old Rolando Mandragora to man mark Paul Pogba, kept the Frenchman quiet until the teenager was lifted from the game in the second half. Against Udinese, Genoa put on their best display of the season as Gasperini’s choice of Leandro Greco in central midfield allowed Genoa to dominate that area.
What many don’t realise, is that many fans were unhappy prior to Genoa’s win against Chievo, a game in which the Grifone had to come from behind to win. Gasperini’s men had underperformed in several matches up to that point, including the previous week’s draw to Empoli. Following that draw, expectations of his second sacking at the club were high and some may have believed justifed. However, the Italian tactician has turned the tide since and has raised expectations that two sides from Genova could fight for a European place.
Gasperini’s return to Genoa and the team’s improvement under him has helped resurrect the Italian’s career. Despite having great success at Genoa from 2006-2010, Gasperini was dismissed in November 2010 following a run of poor performances. With the club in fourteenth, Gasperini was removed in favour of Davide Ballardini, who concluded the season with the Grifone before he was removed.
Gasperini’s dismissal was due in part to Genoa’s summer mercato spending and the dismal performances of those players. No one player proved that point more than Luca Toni, who signed on a free-transfer from Bayern Munich. At a whooping €4 million per year, it was Gasperini that bore the brunt of Toni’s goal-scoring failures. Three goals in 16 games is all the Italian could muster before having his contract terminated in January. But by that time, Gasperini was long gone.
Following Gasperini’s dismissal, both coach and club suffered through similar seasons over the next few years. Genoa fought relegation and signed a host of indifferently poor players following their big spending of 2010. Gasperini was hired as Inter coach with his reputation still intact. That is, until he was given little to no backing by Massimo Moratti and summarily sacked after five matches. The 2012/13 season wasn’t much better for Gasperini either. The coach suffered through two disappointing stints with Palermo prior to the Rosanero’s relegation to Serie B.
Despite the years apart, Genoa and Gasperini rekindled their relationship like ex-lovers finding each other years down the line. The relationship between the club and coach just works. It is one of those things that can’t be explained and may not be replicated at another club or with another coach. Just like William Garbutt revived Genoa in the early 20th century, so too has Gasperini nearly 100 years later. Scudetti may not follow like in Garbutt’s case, but a fun and dynamic Genoa may.
Follow Drew Farmer on Twitter at: @CalcioFarmer
