All good things come in threes. Paolo Tramezzani (51) will start his third term (after 2017 and 2020) at FC Sion on Sunday. Three days before the first home game, the 51-year-old coach from Italy explained the reasons for his return to Valais and his ambitions for Christian Constantin’s club.
The Italian spoke in his mother tongue, with Vice President Gelson Fernandes acting as translator.
You are once again a Sion trainer. How come?
Paolo Tramezzani: It was unexpected, but everything happened very quickly. I also have to thank my club in Saudi Arabia (Al-Faisaly, the editor), who were very understanding. Contact with Sion was never lost. When I received the call from General Manager Massimo Cosentino, I did not hesitate. From a sentimental point of view, I have a strong bond with this club and I’m not speaking here as a coach. When I first came here, it was a difficult situation. Without going into details, my wife got sick at the time. I received a lot of support and met some fantastic people.
There is a saying: two are too many, three are too little …
I’ve thought about it (laughs). It is not normal to return to the same club for a third term. But in Italian they also say that the third is the right one. I feel like this is my first time. I’m coming back home
Why didn’t you stay after the 2020 rescue?
I should have been more sensitive to the situation, especially the financial situation, the club and everyone involved. I received an offer and I take responsibility for the breakup. It was my fault.
During your two terms in office, you have coached Sion for less than fifteen games on average. In fifteen rounds, on March 5, 2022, it will be that time again. Will you still be here then?
I hope so (laughs). I will do everything I can to extend my career in Valais as long as possible.
In general, you have never coached a club for more than 31 games in a row. Is that a brand you want to break?
Yes, that was at Apoel Nicosia, where the team was very successful. But I haven’t had any long experience with the same club. This is still a shortcoming in my career that I regret. I want to find stability and work with the same players for two or three years. I am not always easy to work with. I hope I’ve developed myself further as a person, also off the pitch.
Is Basel a good opponent to kick off?
I prefer to play against the leaders because we don’t have much to lose. It would have been more complicated against a direct competitor. I hope that the players can free themselves from their fears and blockages. I’m especially happy to see our fans again. You help us a lot.
It was said that the team was completely insecure. What did you find?
I already knew many members of the team. You are disappointed and angry about the current situation. You know your responsibility. But above all I saw the will and the commitment to want to get out of this difficult situation. What I observed in the first few days made me sleep soundly.
What is your target?
We discussed this with management. You have to keep in mind that FC Sion has seen some turbulence in recent years. I want to make sure this season goes well.
How do you deal with the fact that Sion has an extremely large number of players under contract?
It is true that there are very many. It’s more complicated to manage and train a group of 30 players than a group of 25. Ideally, we would like to have a squad of 18 players plus a couple of young players who would get their chance. We will take stock of the situation in the club and make the necessary decisions for the winter break.