The "Divine Ponytail" of Italian calcio, Roberto Baggio, has returned from a figurative and literal wilderness. He retired in 2004 and has rarely been seen or heard. He makes annual hunting trips to Argentina and has appeared in a few benefit friendlies. Mostly, Baggio has maintained a very low profile up until recently.
His moment of personal agony at the 1994 World Cup
final. It was the only spot kick that Baggio ever missed
for the Azzurri. In his Serie A career, he converted
91 percent.
Last month, he took coaching badges at the famed Italian Federation school at Coverciano outside of Florence. There were rumors that Baggio would take some type of role; however, few expected it to be so high: President of the Technical Sector for the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
There are a few contractual details to iron out; however, Baggio is expected to be named officially in a few days. Renzo Ulivieri, head of the Italian Coaches Association, and Azzurri legend and all-time leading scorer, Gigi Riva, also weighed in with their thoughts.
In Baggio's Words
In comments made to the Milan sports daily, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Baggio discussed his new position.
"Ho dato il mio assenso, da parte mia c'è la massima disponibilità a ricoprire il ruolo di presidente del settore tecnico di Coverciano. Adesso però devo aspettare il Consiglio Federale di mercoledì".
"I gave my assent and on my part, there is the utmost availability to cover the role of Technical Sector President at Coverciano. Now I must wait for the Federal Commission on Wednesday."L'annuncio di Roberto Baggio è arrivato dopo due ore di riunione con Abete e il presidente dell'Assoallenatori Renzo Ulivieri. Sul tavolo della discussione, la volontà di affidare a Roberto Baggio il ruolo del settore tecnico federale come successore di Azeglio Vicini.
The announcement by Roberto Baggio arrived after a two-hour meeting with Federation president, Giancarlo Abete and Head of the Coaches Association, Renzo Ulivieri. On the table was the discussion to put forth Roberto Baggio into the role of the federal technical sector as the successor to Azeglio Vicini (Baggio's former coach at the Italian World Cup of 1990)."Sarà un'esperienza impegnativa, ma spero divertente - ha aggiunto Baggio -, sapremo mercoledì se tutto andrà in porto. Il mio ruolo? Ci sono tanti settori di cui si deve occupare il settore tecnico, però ci vuole un pò di tempo e bisogna capire tante cose".
"It will be a tough work experience but I hope enjoyable," added Baggio. "We will know on Wednesday if everything is in place.
My role? There are so many sectors in which to occupy the technical area but it will take some time and a need to understand so many things."
Baggio carried the Azzurri on his back during the
1994 World Cup in the United States.
"Io presidente? È stranissimo essere chiamato presidente".
"Me, President? It is very strange to be called president.""Sogno che il calcio italiano possa tornare ad avere talenti importantissimi. Mo occorre credere nei giovani perché sono il futuro, bisogna dare tutto quello che abbiamo dentro per farli crescere bene".
"I dream that Italian football can return to have very important talents. But young people have to be believed in because they are the future. You need to give everything that we have inside to make them grow up properly."Renzo Ulivieri, Head of the Italian Coaches Association
"Quello di Roberto Baggio al settore tecnico sarà un ruolo attivo e operativo: non sarà un uomo immagine... Il suo lavoro sarà impegnativo e faticoso, avrà potere su tutto quello che riguarda il settore tecnico, ma chiaramente non influirà sulla gestione delle nazionali".
"The role of Roberto Baggio for the technical sector will be active and operative. It won't be a figurehead job... His work will be difficult and exhausting. He will have control over everything in the technical sector but clearly it will not influence on whom plays on the National team."Azzurri Legend and Team Manager, Gigi Riva
Gigi Riva with Roberto Baggio after
Bulgaria v. Italia at World Cup 1994. Riva scored 35
goals in 42 international appearances which is the
all-time Italian record. Baggio scored 27 times for
Italy.
"È un segnale, un grande riconoscimento per Roberto. Con Bearzot e Vicini il settore tecnico è stato in buone mani . Ora lui ha la possibilità di modificare qualcosa. Può portare idee nuove basandosi sulla sua esperienza sul campo: il settore tecnico è la parte più importante del mondo del calcio".
"It is a signal, a great recognition for Roberto. With Enzo Bearzo and Vicini, the technical sector has been in good hands. But now he has the responsibility to modify something. He can bring new ideas basing them on his experience on the pitch.Italian source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 2 August 2010.
The technical sector is the most important part in the world of football."
Please Note
This translation was also featured at Italian Soccer Serie A.
