Delhi Dynamos FC confirmed the signing of Gianluca Zambrotta as their head coach for Season 3 of the Hero Indian Super League earlier this week. The 39-year-old Italian legend offers the Lions plenty of European pedigree having represented heavyweights like Juventus, Barcelona and AC Milan during his playing days.He joins the Dynamos with good managerial experience under his belt having previously been at the helm of Swiss outfit FC Chiasso, who he guided to safety after the club was embroiled in a relegation battle at the time of his appointment.The former Italian international, however, has a tough act to follow this season after a semi-final appearance under Roberto Carlos last year has heightened fans’ expectations. Speaking exclusively to indiansuperleague.com following his signing, Zambrotta spoke on an array of subjects and expressed his delight and eagerness to get started with preparations for the new season right away.“I’m very happy to sign up as head coach of Delhi Dynamos FC and I am eager to start my work,” said Zambrotta.When pressed for his thoughts on the current state of football in India, Zambrotta revealed that he had received valuable insights on Indian football from former team-mates at Juventus Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet, who represented Delhi Dynamos FC and FC Pune City respectively in Season 1.“I have heard a lot about Indian football from Alessandro Del Piero, who gave me an idea about football in Delhi. David Trezeguet also spoke to me about the scenario, and both of them helped me understand what’s happening here,” said the World Cup-winning defender.Zambrotta also revealed that he had been picking the brains of those already a part of Delhi Dynamos FC to further his understanding of the game in India. “In terms of players, I have only interacted with Sanjiban Ghosh and Souvik Chakraborty and got an idea about what has happened in the previous Hero ISL seasons,” he said.However, while football in India has found its way to Zambrotta’s heart, the Italian admitted that his encounter with the Indian traffic so far had been less than ideal. “I like the passion that India has towards football but I don’t like the Indian traffic. In Italy, heavy traffic is mainly confined to Naples and Milan but it’s not the same as India. But I am learning to handle such aspects about India and I am very happy about it. I’d like to learn about other cultures and other cities in India,” he said.A serial winner with accolades such as three Serie A titles and three Supercoppa Italiana titles as well as a Supercopa de España and the 2006 FIFA World Cup title to his name, Zambrotta made no qualms about his expectations with the Dynamos this year. “My primary principle is to develop a competitive strategy for improving the overall performance of the team to win matches. I have not thought about anything further than that just yet, apart from inculcating a winning mentality in the team,” he said.Zambrotta’s 20-year career as a professional footballer saw him play under top managers such as Dino Zoff, Carlo Ancelotti, Marcello Lippi, Fabio Capello, Frank Rijkaard and Massimiliano Allegri. But he was quick to point out that while he had learned a lot from these coaches, he wasn’t looking to match the feats of anyone in particular. “I have learnt a lot from all the managers I have played under. However, there’s not a specific manager I would like to emulate,” said Zambrotta.The Italian legend also offered snippets of the philosophy he hopes to implement with the Dynamos. He wishes to emulate Italy coach Antonio Conte and Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone’s style of football at the Dynamos. “I like the philosophy of Antonio Conte and Atlético Madrid’s manager Diego Simeone, and is something I would like to inculcate in the team. But it also depends on who we are playing against as well as our strengths. All of that makes a big difference when you are going out onto the field with a particular strategy in mind,” Zambrotta said.Season 3 of the Hero ISL will see him pitted against a fellow member of the 2006 FIFA World Cup-winning Italian side, Marco Materazzi. Materazzi won the Hero ISL with Chennaiyin FC last season and is set to lead the Super Machans again this year, setting up a classic battle between the World Cup-winning Italians. Zambrotta enthused at the prospect of going head-to-head with his former Azzurri team-mate. “I’m looking forward to this opportunity and it’s extremely gratifying to know that two of the best players from a World Cup-winning side will compete against each other,” he said.Zambrotta also issued a rallying cry to all Lions supporters and told them to expect a motivated and hard-working Dynamos outfit that will be gunning for the coveted Hero ISL trophy. “Delhi Dynamos FC fans can expect me to motivate the team and work hard, to ensure that we win,” he concluded.
