Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa has been speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport about this weekend’s league opener against Juventus. He began by explaining that; “It’s stimulating to be facing a squad that wants to win the Champions League. They have had a good summer on the transfer market and their results will come under great scrutiny”.
 

He was then asked if he himself would one day like to be the coach of the Old Lady, he replied; “Any coach would like to work with a team that can challenge for every trophy but I’ve never had any contact with then and I’m happy at Fiorentina”. On the subject of his renewal in Tuscany he stated that; “The President (Cognigni), Andrea della Valle and Corvino have explained the situation to me and this makes me very proud. We know results can change everything but it’s important to have mutual trust. It’s nice that the President has ensured that this will not be a factor in an automatic renewal”.  

On whether he could lose boty Borja Valero and Kalinic in before the end of August he replied that; “Perhaps there have been some important offers but the players have not been distracted”. Finally, on Italian starlet Federico Bernardeschi he explained that; “A year ago we managed to hold onto him despite him having his suitcases packed. It’s great to have a leader at the club who the fans can look up to. I can safely say now that one day a player who grew up here will be captains of the team. Bernardeschi is a player who is willing to put himself at the disposal of the team”.

Steve Mitchell @barafundler