In the often-predictable world of professional football, certain figures stand out, not just for their success, but for their sheer, unadulterated individuality. Massimo Cellino, the former president of clubs like Cagliari and Brescia, is undoubtedly one such character. Known for his tempestuous tenures, candid opinions, and a unique blend of business acumen with a dash of deep-seated superstition, Cellino recently offered a fresh glimpse into his tumultuous relationship with the beautiful game, casting a wide net over his past, present, and the alleged malevolent forces at play.
The Brescia Betrayal: A Pact with Misfortune?
Cellino’s recent reflections on his time at Brescia Calcio paint a picture of regret, bordering on cosmic betrayal. Speaking to L`Unione Sarda, he unequivocally labeled acquiring Brescia as his “biggest mistake.” It wasn`t merely a business misstep, but, in Cellino`s unique cosmology, a brush with ill fate. His rationale? The club`s founding date falls on the 17th of July – a number he personally deems unlucky. One might gently suggest that financial irregularities and a subsequent relegation to Serie C, rather than calendar anomalies, typically dictate a club`s misfortunes, but Cellino sees a deeper, more sinister hand at work.
The club`s descent into Serie C, exacerbated by penalties for using non-existent tax credits, is a thorny subject. While Cellino claims to be a victim of fraud, alleging he was misled about the club`s financial state, he attributes the “maligno” (the evil one) as having a particular penchant for Brescia, a city he also characterized by widespread “blasphemy.” It’s a bold claim, especially when considering the intricate layers of football finance and regulation that usually underpin such outcomes. Perhaps the real maligno lies not in numerical superstition, but in less diligent due diligence?
Adding another layer to his spiritual narrative, Cellino recounted building a chapel at Brescia’s training ground – a vow made for a Serie A promotion. He believes that those who dedicate to the Church become targets of the “maligno.” It`s a fascinating blend of piety and profound victimhood, suggesting that even good deeds can invite supernatural retaliation.
Cagliari: The Sweet Nostalgia of a Former Kingdom
Before Brescia, there was Cagliari Calcio, a club Cellino presided over for 22 years. His relationship with the Sardinian club is tinged with a deep, almost romantic nostalgia. He fondly recalls Cagliari as representing his youth, “the best and hardest years” of his life, filled with only “beautiful memories.” This sentiment stands in stark contrast to his recent pronouncements on Brescia.
Yet, even amidst the nostalgia, Cellino cannot resist a broader critique of the modern game. He laments that “the football we know is no more,” suggesting that the current system is “broken” and that the Italian Football Federation has “devastated” the sport. For a man who claims to prefer “playing at tables where no one cheats,” this critique resonates with his often-expressed desire for authenticity and fairness in a world he perceives as increasingly compromised.
Allegri`s Linguistic Blind Spot: A Provincial Genius?
Massimo Cellino has never been one to mince words, and his assessment of coaching titan Massimiliano Allegri is no exception. Having launched Allegri`s managerial career at Cagliari, Cellino still considers him “one of the best in the world.” However, this praise comes with a caveat: Allegri`s “limit” is his perceived “provincial” nature, highlighted by his refusal to learn English and his consistent choice of “the easiest path.”
This observation, delivered with Cellino`s characteristic bluntness, offers a curious insight. While Allegri’s tactical pragmatism has delivered immense success, particularly in Italy, Cellino implies that a lack of linguistic ambition and a preference for comfort zones might restrict a broader international legacy. It’s a point of view that, while debatable, certainly adds flavor to the discourse surrounding one of football`s most decorated managers.
A Life Marked by Drama: The Attempted Kidnapping
Beyond the boardrooms and pitch-side controversies, Cellino`s personal history holds an even more dramatic tale. He revealed an attempted kidnapping at the tender age of 22, in 1978. Confronted by three armed men, he narrowly escaped, leading his father to send him to Australia for safety. His family remaining in Sardinia lived under the protection of the Carabinieri. This deeply personal revelation adds a layer of understanding to Cellino’s often-combative and wary demeanor, highlighting a life that has, indeed, been far from “easy” or “provincial.”
The Enduring Enigma
Massimo Cellino remains an indelible, if often bewildering, figure in Italian football. His journey, marked by financial complexities, spiritual musings, bold pronouncements, and personal peril, paints the portrait of a man who sees the world, and football within it, through a highly individualistic lens. Whether attributing a club`s woes to a cursed number or the machinations of “the evil one,” Cellino ensures that his narrative is never dull. As football continues to evolve, or, as he might say, “deviate,” figures like Cellino serve as a potent reminder of the human element – with all its eccentricities and deeply held convictions – that still pulses at the heart of the game.
