Gabriele Cioffi was full of praise and positivity as he spoke on Udinese Tonight the day after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Atalanta.
The coach is clearly proud of his players having seen them dominate the match until the visitors equalised with their first chance in second-half stoppage time.
“I don't feel bitter watching the game back. If anything, it feels sweeter,” he revealed.
“I was watching the match again hoping the result would be change. Sadly it didn't, so I stopped it in the 91st minute and went to lunch.”
Cioffi's fondness for his players comes across when he speaks about them.
“I see myself in this team. The lads are humble but brave. When I hear them using my words it means I've got through to them. Now we have the international break, then we'll get going again remembering that we haven't done anything yet.
“We didn't have much time to work when I came back because I started on Wednesday afternoon and four days later we played Monza. I observed and listened to the lads and gave them the chance to express themselves. I was lucky that they were immediately responsive. I used videos and dialogue. When you have players like this, they learn quickly.
“Here you can focus on coaching and nothing else. You don't have to worry about other matters. Your sole focus is on the football side and managing the team. It's what I needed. That's why I unpacked my bags for Saudi Arabia and repacked for Udine.
“I received offers from Egypt, Indonesia, Hungary and Saudi Arabia. We were down to the final details. I'd spoken to my wife and we said we'd sleep on it. Then Udinese called. My first thought was 'How lucky!'”
Cioffi is back in Udine after his experience at Verona.
“I don't think anyone was to blame for my time at Verona. Sometimes relationships work out and sometimes they don't. We're all sorry it turned out that way but I come away a different person and the experience has given me more energy to convey to my team. I feel I'm in the right place at the right time.”
“I don't think anyone was to blame for my time at Verona. Sometimes relationships work out and sometimes they don't. We're all sorry it turned out that way but I come away a different person and the experience has given me more energy to convey to my team. I feel I'm in the right place at the right time.”