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The Squad

Total Wage Budget: £22,785 per week (including youth grant income of £0 per week)
Current Wage Total at 14/07/06: £20,033 per week

San Marino Calcio, for their level of professional football in Italy, have the rather large number of fifty-two players currently on their books. Twenty-two of these players compete in first team squad with the other thirty making up the clubs under-twenty side. Thankfully the board and previous management of the club have been diligent and kept the club under budget so I have some room to manoeuvre within the current wage budget structure meaning new signings, provided they’re eventually offset with departures, should be manageable.

The squad has an average age of twenty-six years-old and with the media predicting a finish of 14th both the board and supporters were expecting the team to fight bravely against relegation.

Squad Average Age: 26
Squad Personality: Determined

Having watched the team in training and gained information from the current staff at the club here are the profiles of those players who are part of my first team squad at this point in time.

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Portieri

Emiliano Dei (GK, ITA, 185 cm, 78 kg, 35 years old)
An experienced goalkeeper who joins the club having spent much of his career playing in Serie C1 with Benevento (1998-2002) and Varese (2002-04) before joining Rimini and helping them into Serie B, where he played thirty times last season. Looks a solid goalkeeper for this level and will probably start the season as first choice, it’s important he perform well as he will have an important role to play helping us avoid relegation. He also has the dubious honour of being the oldest player at the club, if he doesn’t perform time wont be on his side and I will be look to bring in a slightly younger goalkeeper as first choice.

Tommaso Merola (GK, ITA, 183 cm, 85 kg, 19)
Our current backup keeper is a young Italian who looks to have a little potential but doesn’t appear ready for the a first-time place at the moment. He’s a graduate of the San Marino youth academy and joined the professional ranks in 2003 before spending two seasons out on loan, first, in 2004/05, with Savoia, where he made five appearances, and then at Nuovo Campobasso, where he played thirty-one games last season.

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Difensori

Simone Berardi (D/WB R, M C , ITA, 174 cm, 67 kg, 26)
Whilst predominantly a right full back Berardi also has the ability to play in the centre of midfield and with a bit of coaching could potentially fill any number of other defensive positions. Born in Rome, he began his career with Roma before spending a few seasons at Pescara and then moving to Nardò. The 2002/03 season saw him join San Marino and he’s been a regular ever since with one-hundred-and-nine appearances in four years. He’s highly capable at this level and is an excellent man-marker so I expect him to be a regular in my side.

Samuele Buda (D/WB RL, M L, ITA, 183 cm, 70 kg, 20) *on loan from Cesena until 30/06/07
Right-footed young full back or midfielder whose versatility could prove useful in the coming season. He is reasonably quick and determined but not very talented when it comes to defending which means he’ll probably only get games when we’re desperate. He spent last season on loan at Serie C2/B Bellaria scoring once in twenty-four games.

Luca D'Angelo (SW/D C, ITA, 188 cm, 86 kg, 34)
A tall and powerful central defender or sweeper who lacks pace but is vastly experienced and remains a talented hard working player. His main strengths are his positional play, aerial ability and bravery. I imagine he will be my captain, in what is his first season with the club, as I hope he’ll be an inspirational and influentially member of the first-team, at the age of thirty-four he is also the second oldest member of the squad. A native of Abruzzo, he was born in Pescara and began his career with Chieti before going on to represent Sora, Castel di Sangro in Serie B, Fermana, Alzano and Giulianova before joining Rimini in 2001/02. That season his new side were in Serie C2/B but, with him in defence and a regular starter, had eventually progressed some five years later into Serie B, where he played twenty-times and scored two goals last season.

Roberto Di Maio (D LC, ITA, 188 cm, 88 kg, 23)
Tall talented Naples born central defender or left back, despite being right footed, who played for Castelnuovo and Fucecchio before joining San Marino in 2004/05. Since then he’s scored three goals in sixty games for the club and I expect him to be a first-choice this season. His best assets are his tackling, heading and marking abilities which should give him the edge over a lot of attackers at this level.

Salvatore Ferraro (D LC, ITA, 181 cm, 72 kg, 22) *on loan from AC Milan until 30/06/07
Right footed central defender or left back who is on loan from AC Milan for the season. He was born in Catanzaro and started his career with Internazionale, where he played once in three seasons, before spending time out on loan at Prato, Pavia, Rimini, Vittoria and Lumezzane before joining his present club. Reasonably solid and fairly quick he’ll start the season as a first choice although I might terminate his loan deal if I feel the club no longer require his services or he fails to perform. I doubt he has the potential to make it in the top flight but he could develop into a very strong player at this level and possibly Serie B in the future.

Michele Florindo (D LC, ITA, 185 cm, 90 kg, 26)
Left footed left back or central defender who played for Padova, L’Aquila and Spezia before joining San Marino at the start of last season, going on make thirteen appearances and score one goal. Although not blessed with pace he appears solid and I feel will provide good cover for Di Maio and Ferraro in the coming season.

Devis Nossa (D C, ITA, 181 cm, 75 kg, 20) *co-owned by Internazionale until 30/06/08
A talented central defender who I expect to feature heavily this season but will start the season providing cover for captain Luca D‘Angelo. Although possessing next to no pace the standard of his tackling, aerial ability and decision making should allow it not to be too much of a hindrance at this level. I doubt he has much of a future at Inter but he looks to have potential and could have a bright future in the game if he impresses this season.

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Centrocampisti

Luca Ceccarelli (AM RC, ITA, 183 cm, 70 kg, 23) *co-owned by Cesena until 30/06/08
Quick technically gifted right winger who is a new-comer to squad having arrived on co-ownership from Cesena under the old management. Very composed on the ball he is also a good dribbler and has the ability to play telling passes which means he’s likely to be my first choice on the right wing as I think he’s too lightweight for a central position.

Davide Faieta (AM LC, ITA, 176 cm, 70 kg, 30)
Creative attacking midfielder who can play in a number of positions on the left despite being predominantly right footed. He has experience but somewhat chequered past having played for Vicenza, Chieti, Perugia, Catania, Fano, Jesina, Teramo, Sora, Foggia and Viterbese before spending last season at Sambenedettese. This is his first year at San Marino and he should be a regular starter in the centre of midfield.

Francesco Giorgetti (M C, ITA, 185 cm, 75 kg, 20) *on loan from Lecce until 30/06/07
Hugely talented and highly rated young central midfielder who has arrived on loan from Serie A Lecce, where he has yet to make an appearance in five seasons since coming through their youth set-up in 2001/02. Although he lacks pace he is extremely gifted in most other respects which leads me to think that despite his young age he’ll be a big player for us this season. I expect he’ll play the role of deep sitting midfield playermaker and stopper, if he was quicker he’d be an almost perfect central midfielder, but, if guess if he was perfect he wouldn‘t be playing for us.

Tiziano Mottola (AM L, ITA, 165 cm, 70 kg, 20) *on loan from Roma until 30/06/07
Tenacious young left winger who I expect will take on the role of back-up for this season although he could get some games if he progresses well in training. Looks to have some potential with respect to his dribbling, finishing, flair and crossing abilities but question marks remain due to his diminutive size and lack of strength on the ball. He’s yet to play for Roma and has spent the last two seasons out on loan, first at Ostiamare and then last year in Serie B with Pescara.

Nicola Napolitano (DM, ITA, 178 cm, 68 kg, 23)
Former Internazionale youngster who has spent the last few seasons appearing sporadically at Spezia, Pavia and Cremonese. Like so many others this is first season with the club but I hope it will be the first of many because of his undoubted ability. Looks fairly solid for his position; reasonable pace, very determined, hard working, extremely good level of personal fitness and above all strong on the ball and a decent tackler. I hope he’ll be our version of Rino Gattuso, a lower league destroyer.

Matteo Nevicati (M RC, ITA, 181 cm, 75 kg, 21)
A young midfielder who prefers to play in the centre than on the right having arrived from Riccione just before my arrival at the club. Although he‘s determined and a decent passer of the ball I don‘t think he‘s physically or potentially capable of making it at this level and he looks to be the weakest player in terms of ability in the current first-team squad. However, he‘ll have a chance to show me what he can do but looks likely to be consigned to a role on the sidelines for much of this season with a move away from the club following in the non to distant future.

Davide Tedoldi (AM R, ITA, 180 cm, 75 kg, 30)
Experienced right winger who is another in his first season with the club. Previously with Catanzaro but has also played for Sambenedettese, Cesena, Cosenza, Messina, Avellino, Treviso and Gualdo in what has been a somewhat nomadic career. He’s perhaps the best crosser of the ball in the squad and looks a solid professional, his experience could prove useful as the season progresses and were it not for the presence of Luca Ceccarelli I’d expect he’d be in my first eleven, as it is though he’ll provider cover.

Alessandro Turchetta (AM L, ITA, 177 cm, 74 kg, 23)
A former Lazio youth player who has also played for Carrarese, Fiorentina, Gubbio, Frosinone, Gresseto before joining us this season from Serie B Vincenza. He has talent and should make the left wing spot his own if he can add consistency to his game. His pace, passing ability and technique are his best assets and I’m expecting him to not only create but also score a few goals for us this season.

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Attaccanti

Giovanni Abate (ST, ITA, 179 cm, 73 kg, 25)
Despite being a new arrival at the club having just joined from Gela I expect Giovanni to be an extremely important player for us in the coming season as he looks to be one of the best players in the squad. Abate is reasonable fast, technically solid and also a useful target-man but what stands out is his sheer finishing ability which with the right service I feel could lead us to safety provided other areas of the team do their jobs. He will be my first choice to lead the attack. Started his career with Palermo before spells at Avellino and Viterbese.

Richard Jose Blanco Delgado (ST, VEN, 182 cm, 80 kg, 24)
A bulky Venezuelan who is in his first season at the Stadio Olimpico having signed after impressing the club when appearing for it’s five-a-side team. He had been placed on the transfer list by the previous regime but I’ve taken him off it and will give him a chance to stake a claim for a regular spot in my squad. His main strength is his ability in the air but apart from that he doesn’t appear to possess much talent at all so unless he can prove otherwise it appears he could be one of the first players to leave the club.

Luca Ferrari (AM/F C, ITA, 179 cm, 81 kg, 20) *co-owned by Empoli until 30/06/08
Former Bologna junior who is in his first season at the club having appeared three times last year in Serie B. He is a neat skilful player with decent technique and a good shot on him but lacks pace and is someone I feel who could struggle to make an impact this season.

Federico Ligori (ST, ITA, 184 cm, 75 kg, 24) *on loan from Spezia until 30/06/07
Despite being just twenty-four years-old Ligori has already played for six clubs - Varese, Biellese, Prato, Spezia, Vittoria and Pro Vercelli, which suggests that either there’s not been much faith put in his ability by his previous clubs, he has attitude problems or he has problems hitting the target with great regularity - thirty-five goals in one-hundred-and-thirty-seven appearances during the course of last seven years however says it might be the first or second of the three. He appears to be a decent striker for this level so I expect him to get some games and goals for us this season, especially as he’ll be looking to show his parent club, who are in Serie B, just what they are missing.

Alberto Villa (ST, ITA, 176 cm, 72 kg, 27)
A former Bologna, Faenza, Imolese and Pistoiese striker in his third year with San Marino. He was the clubs top-scorer last year after hitting thirteen goals in thirty-one games and is well liked by the supporters. Although Abate is my current first choice for the lone striker position Villa looks a similar, albeit slightly slower, player who I expect to provide back-up and score goals whenever he’s given the chance this season.

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Overview:

I was happy with the club and facilities but as it was results on the playing field that I’d be judged for more than those off it obviously the squad was the most important aspect of the analysis that I had put the club through. Overall, I felt we had a decent squad for this level and we should be able to survive and hopefully at least meet or improve on our predicted finish of fourteenth.

Of the twenty-two who currently make up the first-team pool question marks definitely appear regarding the goalkeeping situation. Emiliano Dei looks solid enough and as stated before will start the season as first choice but I feel he’s coming towards the final years of his career so could become a liability if he’s not up to the job while I fear that his young understudy Merola just doesn’t have what it takes to make the step up at the moment in time if ever. Both will need to prove their worth to me but for the time being I will definitely be looking to bring in another goalkeeper who is a) experienced and b) ready for first-team football but not necessarily at the stage where he’ll demand to be a regular.

Our defence looks solid although we could perhaps do with a quick centre back as neither Devis Nossa and Luca D’Angelo are particularly blessed with pace. D’Angelo, who I imagine will be team captain, looks like Dei to be in the final stages of his career although I feel he’ll probably got at least two or three more years in him if he can stay free from injury. I will be looking for a long-term successor to him but as I’m well stocked for the centre of defence this isn’t a priority. As far as fullbacks go I feel those at the club are up to the job but we could perhaps do with someone as cover on the right hand side.

The midfield is another area I’m relatively happy with, I have a nice selection of wingers and creative midfielders to chose from while central midfielders Nicola Napolitano and Francesco Giorgetti look to be equal to anything else in this division. One thing that does worry me here is that we’re perhaps lacking a bit of strength in depth but I expect to bring in a couple of players in the first few weeks of the campaign so don’t envisage this being a problem area.

If we’re to achieve our goals this season then we’re going to have to find the target with some regularity. Giovanni Abate looks promising and should score around ten to fifteen goals provided he stays clear of injury, gets decent service and retains his form while Alberto Villa should also get amongst the goals. However, apart from those two question marks remain over the rest of my attacking options - neither Delgado nor Ferrari look like goal-scorers while for all the bustling play of Ligori, he often flatters to deceive. Another weakness is that we lack pace, although Abate and Villa aren’t slow by any means they don’t have that extra yard or two which could make the difference between a clear goal scoring opportunity and a half-chance. As at any level a player with pace is a deadly asset if used correctly.

A number of players currently at the club are in their first seasons here having been signed by the previous management regime or at least with his blessing. This is unfortunate but all those currently here will be given a chance to push for a first-team place although I expect there to be a settling in period as the players adjust to my tactics, training drills, those around them and life in Serravalle. One major concern of mine is that although the squad appears to be solid on paper we’re perhaps a little lacking in depth and may have to dip into the youth team to provide cover should we get hammered by any major injuries of suspensions. Overall, I think we’re strong enough to stay up provided I can add three or four quality players to the side so will be looking to bring in a goalkeeper or two, midfielders and a striker before the season starts.

My transfer strategy for the coming season will be to sign a mixture of young inexperienced Sammarinese players for the future and others with experience to make an impact now. One option that is open to me in the short-term is the signing of former and current internationals such as Mirco Gennari, Davide Gualtieri and Damiano Vannucci amongst others. They have the experience and knowledge which should help them settle into the club quickly and also bring on young players but would they have enough quality to make the kind of impact I desire? Alternatively I could bring in younger players who you’d think would be hungrier to make a name for themselves having come from the amateur status of the Campionato Sammarinese to the professional realms of Serie C1. I expect a mix of the two would probably give me the best success but as always with any transfer there are risks. Eventually, although this will take time, I’d like to make the squad entirely Sammarinese, or at least ninety percent. I think it’s important the club acknowledges the domestic and local market and by exploiting it I feel we’ll develop a club culture that will not only succeed on the field but also boost the national team to new highs. I want Sammarinese players who will live and die for the shirt and I want them fast.

Another important aspect of my analysis was the backroom staff. As I have already touched upon several people currently at the club could be said to be on borrowed time. Hopefully they can adapt and fit in with what I have planned but if not I shall have no hesitation in cutting them loose and bringing in my own personnel. I fear we do need a major restructuring of the club at this level and a new broom, as it were, is definitely needed. I want to make the club the envy of those around us and provide the best possible coaching and facilities to my players.

I’m planning to start the season with a 4-1-4-1 or 4-5-1 formation due to our lack of pace and real striking options although if this struggles during pre-season and the opening month or two of the campaign then I may look to move to something a little more conventional such as a 4-4-2 or a 3-5-2 formation. This could however all change if I’m able to bring in players of better quality that those we already possess although with funds tight and a slight unwillingness to dip further into the loan market signings may be few and far between in my first season at San Marino.

I will be looking for several of those players currently in the squad to develop to a level in which they’re being looked at by bigger clubs and hoping that I’ll be able to bring through a few youngsters from the youth set-up during the season as a I feel long-term continuity is a key to success. Hopefully long gone will be the days of the club fielding a next to new squad every season although I feel the current team does need a little surgery to be definitely assured of maintaining our place in Serie C1.

I will probably look to trim the squad of some of the loan and co-owned players during the season as currently very few of them are in my short or long term plans, this could however change as the season progresses though at the moment it’s good to have some back-up players who aren’t costing the club anything. I am also aiming to re-introduce San Marinese players into the squad with the hope of one day fielding a team predominantly made up of players who can benefit the national team although I will not be operating a strict policy and will instead be looking at quality rather than quantity.

I feel this will be a difficult season for the club and one in which I and many players will have to find their feet quickly in order for the goal of staying in Serie C1 to be realised. I am hopeful we can go some way to disprove many who feel we’ll be relegated and an aiming for a mid-table finish. I feel this will be a transitional season onto which we’ll be able to build for a brighter future.

Formation:
(Playing with a 4-5-1 formation)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Emiliano Dei Simone Berardi Luca D’Angelo © Roberto Di Maio Salvatore Ferraro Nicola NapolitanoLuca Ceccarelli Francesco Giorgetti Davide Faieta Alessandro Turchetta Giovanni AbateSubstitutes:Tommaso Merola (gk), Michele Florindo, Devis Nossa, Samuele Buda, Davide Tedoldi, Federico Ligori, Alberto Villa</pre>

I have chosen this style of play, which will be implemented throughout the club because I feel it offers us defensive solidarity as well as the attacking option of becoming a 4-3-3 quickly and effectively. Much will be expected of the midfield to support the lone striker when we’re on the attack.

retired_iva terry

Love ur attention to details. Would be looking forward to your updates.

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Thank you Damien77

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The Youth Team

The majority of young players who arrive at the club have come through the youth recruitment and coaching network provided by the Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio. Once with the club players compete in group four of the seven regional groups that make up the Campionato Nazionale Dante Berretti and also compete in the Coppa Italia Primavera, both of which are for players aged twenty years-old and under. As there is no reserve league in Italian football this level is extremely important to a club the size of San Marino Calcio as the youngsters that come through the system will be expected to provide support for the first team and hopefully eventually become regulars. Currently no one at the club is directly responsible for the running of this side so I am looking to bring in a dedicated youth team manager who will look after the day to day running and coaching of the players at this level.

The current squad looks like this:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Matteo Gaudino | GK | SMR | 177 cm | 82 kg | 18Fabio Ricci | GK | ITA | 174 cm | 76 kg | 17Luca Gianessi | SW, D C | SMR | 192 cm | 91 kg | 17Christian Ercolani | D RC | SMR | 188 cm | 90 kg | 18Marwan Grottoli | D RLC | SMR | 192 cm | 94 kg | 17Andrea Vangelista | D R | SMR | 178 cm | 80 kg | 17Michele Zanotti | D R | SMR | 178 cm | 80 kg | 16Luca Del Prete | D RC, WB R | SMR | 174 cm | 73 kg | 15Francesco Indirli | D LC | SMR | 183 cm | 84 kg | 18Cesare Dionigi | D C | SMR | 180 cm | 85 kg | 18Alessandro Ligi | D C | ITA | 192 cm | 89 kg | 16Roberto Rinaldi | D C | SMR | 174 cm | 76 kg | 16Lorenzo Camosetti | D/WB L | SMR | 170 cm | 74 kg | 16Maicol Berretti | M RC | SMR | 183 cm | 85 kg | 17Marco Paci | M R | SMR | 175 cm | 81 kg | 19Angelo Cangialosi | M C | SMR | 174 cm | 75 kg | 17Guglielmo Pellegrini | AM R | SMR | 189 cm | 88 kg | 18Francesco Amantini | AM L | SMR | 182 cm | 85 kg | 18Andrea Angelini | AM L | SMR | 181 cm | 82 kg | 17Stefano Gioia | AM LC | SMR | 171 cm | 72 kg | 18Michele Rastelli | AM LC | SMR | 181 cm | 83 kg | 18Achille Della Valle | AM C | SMR | 172 cm | 75 kg | 17Alessandro Bianchi | ST | SMR | 173 cm | 72 kg | 17Ricardo Ceccoli | ST | ARG/SMR | 178 cm | 81 kg | 18Mauro Del Zingaro | ST | SMR | 176 cm | 75 kg | 17Gesuino Gesuele | ST | ITA | 177 cm | 79 kg | 18Giordano Napolano | ST | ITA | 181 cm | 81 kg | 18Lorenzo Sacchi | ST | SMR | 179 cm | 80 kg | 16Michael Simoncini | ST | SMR | 181 cm | 80 kg | 19Matteo Vitaioli | ST | SMR | 178 cm | 77 kg | 16</pre>

The youth academy is the future of the club but I wonder just how many of the current crop of young players will break through to make appearances for the first team this season and in the coming ones. Some of the youngsters certainly look like they have potential and I expect a few could even gain international recognition at youth level before the season is over.

The pick of the thirty players look to be defender Francesco Indirli, winger Stefano Gioia, attacking midfielder Achille Delle Valle and striker Michael Simoncini. One player I haven’t mentioned until now is defender Luca Del Prete. At fifteen years-old Luca is the youngest player on the clubs books and appears to be a star in the making, well as star like as you get in the current state of Sammarinese football. He is right sided full back who I believe could potentially develop into a central defender; he can pass, tackle and is reasonable quick so I will be pushing him to make his debut for the first team before the season is over.

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Still loving this - can't wait for Opening Day! The squad write-up was a thing of beauty. In particular I love the subtle scattering of Italian throughout; it really leads versimilitude, without feeling overdone. KUTGW!