They say never to go back to your old love. However, in 56 year old Gianpiero Gasperini’s case, this old adage does not apply. A return to Genoa in late September last year, after the club had sacked Fabio Liverani for a dismal start to the season, stunk of desperation for a coach whose stock was at an all-time low.
Gasperini’s innovative and spectacular methods had started to lose their lustre at the back end of his first stint with Genoa, and his last two jobs with Inter and Palermo. In hindsight, fans shouldn’t have worried; Genoa and Gasperini are made for each other.
Ever since he led the Rossoblu to a promotion to Serie A in his debut season at the helm in 2006/07, Gasperini has endeared himself to the Genoa faithful. Finishing 10th and then grabbing 5th position and a subsequent Europa League place in his first two seasons in the top flight made Gasperini a modern Genoa hero. Even his dismissal at the start of the 2010/11 season after a poor start to the season did not diminish his standing in the eyes of the Grifoni fans, as Gasperini had given them some of the best memories in recent times.
His groundbreaking and swashbuckling 3-4-3 system won him admirers from all over the continent and marked him as a potential star tactician of the future. Then-Inter coach Jose Mourinho stated more than once that Gasperini was the coach that put him in the greatest difficulty regularly.
Ill-fated tenures at Inter and then Palermo in the last couple of years have followed his notable tenure at Genoa. His disastrous spell at Inter in 2011 lasted only five games, with Gasperini failing to win a match. A 3-1 defeat to newcomers Novara was the final nail in the coffin, and President Massimo Moratti was forced to shelve the ‘Gasperini project’ a month and a half into the season.
Perhaps his greatest weakness was exposed at the San Siro, as he did not adapt his system to suit the players. The 3-4-3 system can work wonders, but it is imperative that you have the correct squad suitable to play it. For example, his failure to integrate possibly Inter’s most important player in Wesley Sneijder into his formation was one of the reasons that led to his downfall as the Dutchman was forced to play on the left wing of his 3-4-3, not in his preferred 
position in the hole.
His next spell at Palermo in 2012 was supposed to restore his reputation, but instead it left them even more in tatters. You could argue that the Sicilians had a toxic feel to them in recent years with trigger-happy and eccentric owner Maurizio Zamparini at the helm, but Gasperini’s record of three wins in 23 games would’ve left even the most tolerant chairman in football with no choice but to part ways with the tactician.
It seemed to be an end to a managing career that promised so much only a few years prior. Gasperini can thank the heavens that the man that sacked him three years prior, offered the talented manager a chance at redemption.
His rebirth at Genoa this campaign is a great story. When he took over, Genoa had just won a solitary game in their first seven. He took over a team that was damaged mentally and looked completely shorn of confidence. He no longer had the caliber of players to call upon as he did in his first stint. The likes of Diego Milito, Thiago Motta and Domenico Criscito are a few of the players that Gasperini could’ve looked upon to get this team out of the mire.
Now the team is made up of talented, but raw juniors and journeyman Serie A players. Add to the fact that every week, the future of the club is hanging under a cloud as chairman Enrico Preziosi is touting the club to future buyers, Gasperini’s job has been ever more commendable considering his own future may be under question if a change of ownership ensues.
Gasperini worked as a youth coach at Juventus from 1994-2003, so it is no surprise that he is doing an admirable job at nurturing young talent at the club. The performances of the clubs youngsters such as shot-stopper Mattia Perin and 22 year old Croatian wing-back Sime Vrsaljko have been impressive with the former garnering the attention of AC Milan, and the latter attracting admiration from Inter. The most impressive breakthrough however is that of 21 year old Stefan Sturaro.
The young Italian came up from the youth system at Genoa, and has been a regular fixture in the past few months in the midfield, culminating in a wonderful performance against Juventus on the weekend, where he was arguably the home side’s best player on the night where they more than matched the champions. It has been some time since one of the clubs own broke through the ranks, and it is evident that the youngster relishes the chance to play for his boyhood club. The fans at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris now have a new idol they can cheer for.
The revitalization of the old guard at the club as well have been masterstrokes by Gasperini. Alberto Gilardino has been playing splendidly as the focal point in Gasperini’s system, netting twelve strikers so far in the league. Unwanted at the start of the season, Gasperini has done a wonderful job of instilling confidence again in the 31 year old hitman, and his faith has been repaid with Gilardino evolving as one of the most dangerous strikers in the league once again and emerging as a strong contender for the Azzurri’s World Cup squad.
Another player in the sights of national coach Cesare Prandelli has been left wing-back Luca Antonelli. The Italian has been a revelation down the left wing for Gasperini; bringing back memories of former charge and fan favourite Criscito, who they have struggled to replace since his departure to Russian club Zenit in 2011. He has been called up for many of Prandelli’s recent squads and looks a chance to represent his nation in Brazil if his form continues.
The fabled 3-4-3 is working its magic once again for the Grifoni. Gasperini’s record in his second tenure at the club now stands at nine wins, seven draws and seven losses in 23 games, and it’s the sort of record that would put Genoa in contention for a spot in Europe. Genoa is now ready to push on to bigger and better things under Gasperini.
Threatened by demotion to the Serie B for the past few campaigns, the country’s oldest club now has the ingredients aim higher than relegation scraps. With Gasperini at the helm they have found the man to lead them to the Promised Land. Genoa is in his DNA it seems, and Preziosi will think twice before dismissing him in the future you would believe.
