Paulo Sousa talks EXCLUSIVELY to Cm.Com: 'The players come after the team'
Paulo Sousa: I don’t think of what hasn’t worked. Simply put, seeing as the boys ready and willing to work hard, I’d have liked a bit more time to dedicate to training. After Moena (Fiorentina’s summer camp) our fixture list has been intense, and we’ve had to carefully schedule training and post-game rest.
People were struck in the first two months of your tenure by your total mastery of the situation. Some were sceptical of your buys, how did you handle that and get Fiorentina to start so well?
I saw from the very first day that my players were very willing to work hard. This has helped the squad grow as a group, and it reflects in everything we do, it gives one the confidence to face up to any challenge.
Our results are the result of the work we’ve done together, the group and the team will always come before the individual. It is the concept which enables us to perform to our fullest potential.
What did you do to bring in Nikola Kalinic, and why did the big clubs ignore him?And how did you get the club to keep Matias Vecino, despite his salary?
I’d already noticed Nikola when I was coaching in Britain [he coached QPR, Swansea and Leicester City] and I put a lot of stock in his quality, his skills and his potential. It could be that he moved to Blackburn too early, expectations were too high. It sometimes happens that one can quickly be cast aside and end up on the margins of the elite leagues. I kept tabs on him anyway.
I don’t think you can talk of a sacrificing anything when it comes to Vecino, or anyone else for that matter. He’s showed since the beginning that he had ample room for improvement, and the capacity to get there. I think it’s fundamental for the club to allow both him and the others to reach their fullest performance and potential.
You’re the only coach not only openly talks of winning the Scudetto, but actually encourages players and fans alike to dream big. Isn’t it a bit risky for a team and a city that hasn’t won a title in almost 50 years?
We’re lucky enough to be able to work and completely immerse ourselves in our passion, which is football. We work to enjoy ourselves, and make sure the fans enjoy themselves.
The fans, especially ours, are putting all their enthusiasm into the campaign. This city truly boasts a special atmosphere.
I think the least we can do is to ensure that these feelings are channelled towards the joy and pleasure that comes from playing well. And possibly get as close as possible to important objectives, all whilst trying to constantly surpass ourselves and give our best, no holds barred.
Then again I’ve always spoken of looking at things realistically, but passion must be an important push factor for all of us”.
Seeing Fiorentina run like crazy - and seeing players like Marcos Alonso, Borja Valero and Josip Ilicic literally born again compared to last season – one feels that you’ve worked not only on tactics, but also each player’s determination and awareness. How did you do it?
As I said, the players immediately showed me that they were ready and willing to work hard. Work is fundamental in helping their great qualities emerge, and each one of us is pushing to improve constantly, day by day.
You get to the Campini training complex at 7.30 in the morning, and don’t leave before 9 in the evening! How do you structure your work hours outside of training? Your free time?
My staff and I work on a lot of aspects of the game, which inevitably requires a lot of time, both to prepare and work on training. This obviously keeps us in the office past the training schedule.
As with my players, taking your mind off and resting from a mental perspective is key, especially at the start of
the season with all the travelling.
For me it’s simple: I like to hang out with my family, if possible in contact with nature, reading or walking my dogs.
What has struck you about Florence and its people, especially in relation to the other cities and cultures you’ve come into contact with as both a player and a coach?
Florence is a very rich city, especially from an artistic and cultural perspective. This special background shines through in the locals, who are surprisingly vivacious, ironic and very immersed in the experience.
One thing I’ve noticed since the very beginning of summer camp is the passion that Florentina have for the team, it’s really deep, and includes all generations, from grandmas to the children… it’s tangible.
Renzo Ulivieri, a coach you turned to early in your coaching career for advice, wrote on these pages that a 3-4-2-1 formation can be countered with a four-man defence and two defensive midfielders stationed in front of the defence, ready to counter your box-to-box midfielders’ diagonal runs.
Your opponents are starting to do just that, not to mention forcing you to funnel more passes to yours wingers and keeping their full-backs in deeper positions to stop cross-field balls achieving penetration.
Will you find a countermove?
One of the reasons I chose Serie A was the quality of the great coaches here, who are always able to create huge difficulties for anyone. Whenever I am unable to find a solution I don’t think I’d tell you (smiles).
How do you get on with the Della Valle family? There is the feeling that ownership, including Diego Della Valle, follows the squad closely, and there are hopes that they will bring in reinforcements in January.
The club is extremely lucky to have such serious and competent ownership, that is as fundamental to the club as the city’s passion for the team. I try to share all my ideas and my work with the club’s front office, so we can keep growing and plan it.
The club knows what to do to improve the squad in January, and to give us the chance to improve and continue down our road whilst remaining as competitive as possible.
And finally…ask yourself a question you haven’t been asked yet!
If I had to choose one, I would look for one I haven’t been able to answer yet…
