Exclusive Del Piero: Coaching, career, role models, and Zidane chemistry

As Alex Del Piero continues his tour in North America, this is the second part of his exclusive interview with Wayne Girard for Football Italia (read part one here).

Quantifying his career calls for almost 300 goals with Juventus and 134 assists. For his nation, he scored one of the most electrifying moments in Azzurri history as he purged Germany in the 2006 World Cup, and then scored a penalty kick against France to lift gold.

The club’s record appearance holder and goal scorer has won Serie A six times with the Bianconeri plus the Champions League title in 1995-96, as well as a slew of other European accolades. If there ever was a ‘Mr. Juventus,’ it’s ADP, and throughout his journey, he played with the best players in the world.

That being said, the second part of our exclusive interview dives into the history of Del Piero the footballer, which active Serie A players he enjoys watching, his partnerships with illustrious teammates, three coaches he admires, and his own potential managerial future.

Are there any players you really like to watch in Serie A right now?

“There’s a few. And not only in the big teams. When I watch the game, I mean, now I’ve finished the coaching license so in the last two years I’ve studied and am watching games in a different way. Not only for pure talent. 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 3-5-2, let’s see the movement of players.

“But I definitely like players who are smart, and they know what they have to do. Even if they’re in the ‘wrong’ position, they find a way to (do well).”

I know some of your old teammates for the Azzurri went to get their coaching licenses a few years ago, but you’re a busy man whether you’re opening restaurants or developing talent around the globe. But now I am looking forward to when your managerial career does indeed begin!

“Let’s see, I want to finish in the next month and then see when I make the decision to go for something. Now, I’m looking for efficiency and understanding the game from the coaching perspective. A little bit deeper, because I don’t have the experience on the bench, of course. But at least you talk about football and discuss it with other coaches, and the school at Coverciano as well. I think it’s important to understand the game of football from a 360-degree point of view.”

Are there one or two managers that you look up to and admire?

“I believe the three recent guys that inspire everybody are Guardiola, Klopp, and Ancelotti. All three are different, really different in terms of how they want their teams to play but they’re pretty much the same in terms of relationships with the players.”

Who was your best teammate? And I’m not going to push you into saying this guy right here (I held up the cover of Andrea Pirlo’s autobiography).

“Do you really think I can pick one between over 20 years of a career? 19 with Juventus where we won everything from Baggio, to Vialli, to Zidane. Plus, on the national team when there is that guy that you just showed, there is Maldini, other unbelievable teammates that I’ve had.

“It’s really impossible. It doesn’t make sense that I pick just one. For what happened on the pitch, somebody that by numbers I became a good partner with, I’d say with Inzaghi and Trezeguet. Especially that we beat a lot of records together, that’s a fact. A good relationship also means something.”

Sure, chemistry.

“Yeah, chemistry. And with Zidane, the chemistry was so natural. Such a good player, and then everyone has their own characteristics but it’s impossible to pick just one because there’s too many – in my opinion – legends of the game.”

If there’s one player to be giving you a long ball or an assist, who is the one you want behind you?

“If you think about Xavi and Iniesta for example, those two were quite good in my opinion. Or De Bruyne now, or even Messi. So these guys are amazing in terms of assists and giving you the perfect ball. I mentioned the first four that came to my mind in three seconds, but there’s more for sure.”

Thank you Alex, I know you’re out in Texas right now so I hope they take you out for some good barbecue tonight. 

“I hope so! Thank you very much, I hope to see you soon.”