Catania have appointed Gianluca Atzori as Walter Zenga's successor on a two-year contract.
Inexperienced coach appointed at Stadio Angelo Massimino
Catania have appointed Gianluca Atzori as Walter Zenga's successor on a two-year contract.
The Sicilian outfit have taken the bold step of turning to a man with no prior experience of coaching in Serie A.
Atzori was in charge of Ravenna in the third tier of Italian football last term, but he did lead his unfashionable side into the promotion play-offs.
At just 38 years old he has taken the step into the big time at an early stage of his career, but he is not lacking in confidence and believes he can make a similar impact at Catania as Pep Guardiola has made at European champions Barcelona.
Atzori insists he has the determination and desire to be a success at the top level, and has also revealed that he snubbed the opportunity to join Palermo before the Rosanero turned their attention to Zenga.
"(Palermo owner Maurizio) Zamperini called me some weeks ago and he asked me if I was free," Atzori told
La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I said that I had already given my word to another club in Serie A and that for me a handshake is worth just as much as a signature.
Ambitious
"I was flattered, but I would never have renounced the decision I made to take charge of Catania. Also with (Catania chief executive) Pietro Lo Monaco I know that I will be able to become a coach with a capital C.
He added: "Focusing on young trainers is in fashion at the moment. It's perhaps the Guardiola or Allegri effect.
"But I believe in the quality of the work I did with Ravenna. We were fourth from bottom and finished a step from Serie B.
"I only have age in common with Guardiola. We were born in 1971, less than two months apart. As for the rest, there is no comparison.
"He has won the championship, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League in a single season. I finished third in the Prima Divisione, but I have a great desire to improve.
"Survival is our primary objective. To secure a fourth season in a row in Serie A is a wonderful target.
"We will look to improve our position in the table. We have to play as Catania to become a reference point among the provincial teams."
