Francesco Guidolin

Francesco Guidolin (Italian pronunciation: [franˈtʃesko ɡwidoˈlin]; born 3 October 1955) is an Italian football manager and former player, most recently the manager of Premier League team Swansea City. He has coached various Italian club sides in Serie A, winning the 1996–97 Coppa Italia with Vicenza, while also competing in European competitions with Vicenza, Udinese, Bologna and Palermo, as well as managing Ligue 1 club Monaco.

Francesco Guidolin
Guidolin as Udinese manager in 2011
Personal information
Full name Francesco Guidolin[1]
Date of birth (1955-10-03) 3 October 1955[2]
Place of birth Castelfranco Veneto, Italy
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1975–1984 Verona 102 (14)
1977–1978 → Sambenedettese (loan) 35 (3)
1979–1980 → Pistoiese (loan) 35 (5)
1982–1983 → Bologna (loan) 24 (1)
1984–1986 Venezia 41 (1)
Total 237 (24)
National team
1976–1977 Italy U21[3] 5 (0)
Teams managed
1986–1988 Giorgione (youth team)
1988–1989 Giorgione
1989–1990 Treviso
1990–1991 Fano
1991–1992 Empoli
1992–1993 Ravenna
1993 Atalanta
1994–1998 Vicenza
1998–1999 Udinese
1999–2003 Bologna
2004–2005 Palermo
2005 Genoa
2005–2006 Monaco
2006–2007 Palermo
2007 Palermo
2007–2008 Palermo
2008–2010 Parma
2010–2014 Udinese
2016 Swansea City
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Guidolin made his professional debut in 1975 with the Serie A club Hellas Verona, with whom he spent the majority of his career, save for loan moves to clubs Sambenedettese, Pistoiese and Bologna. After spending two seasons with Serie C2 club Venezia, he retired in 1986.

Internationally, Guidolin played for the Italy national under-21 team between 1976 and 1977.

Coaching career

Lower Italian leagues

Guidolin's managerial debut came in 1988 as head coach of Serie C2 team Giorgione, the main club of his native city, Castelfranco Veneto. Between 1989 and 1993, he then coached Treviso (Serie C2), Fano, Empoli and Ravenna, all in Serie C1.

Atalanta

Leading Ravenna to promotion to Serie B earned Guidolin a move to become head coach of Serie A club Atalanta on 1 July 1993, although he was sacked after just ten matches.

Vicenza

The next season, Guidolin joined Serie B side Vicenza and restored them following a period of decline. After gaining promotion to Serie A at the end of the 1994–95 Serie B, his club finished mid-table the following Serie A season. During the 1996–97 season, Vicenza led the league for a period, eventually achieving an eighth-place finish in Serie A, and won the 1997 Coppa Italia, defeating Napoli 3–1 on aggregate in the two-legged final. It was the club's first domestic trophy.[4]

As a result, the following season Guidolin had his first European campaign (and Vicenza's second ever), reaching the 1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup semi-final before losing to eventual winners Chelsea. However, in the league season, Vicenza finished just one place above the relegation zone. The club was also defeated by Juventus in the 1997 Supercoppa Italiana.[4]

Udinese

After managing Vicenza, Guidolin accepted the head coach position at Serie A side Udinese for the 1998–99 season. Their previous third-place finish had qualified them the first round of the 1998–99 UEFA Cup, but they did not progress beyond this stage, losing to Bayer Leverkusen. In the remaining league campaign, Guidolin was only able to guide them to a mid-table finish and was fired only days before the start of the following season.

Bologna

In the middle of the 1999–2000 season, Guidolin joined Serie A side Bologna, a former club as a player. Despite finishing ninth in the previous season, Bologna had qualified for the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup after winning a tie-breaker against Internazionale. Guidolin took them to the third round of the UEFA Cup, where they were eliminated by Galatasaray. In the Serie A season, they finished in 11th place. The following league campaign ended with another ninth-place finish, followed by another small improvement to seventh place and entry into in a summer tournament, the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup, where they were defeated in the three-game final stage by Fulham.

The 2002–03 season began with good results but ended in a disappointing 11th-place finish and resulted in heavy criticism of Guidolin, which became more intense after Guidolin was heard insulting the city of Bologna during a match.[5]

Palermo

Guidolin returned to management with Palermo in January 2004, midway through the Serie B season. Playing Luca Toni as a lone striker among experienced players and those cast off from larger teams, he won the division, taking the Sicilians back to the top flight for the first time since 1973.[6] In the subsequent Serie A campaign, he guided Palermo to a sixth-place finish, earning their first ever UEFA Cup qualification. However, he opted to leave the club at the end of the season.

Aborted move to Genoa

For the start of the next season, Guidolin had agreed to join Genoa, who had gained promotion to Serie A from the 2004–05 Serie B.[7] However, after a match fixing scandal over their final league match was discovered, the Italian Football Federation instead placed Genoa last in Serie B, thereby relegating them to Serie C1. As a result, Guidolin rescinded his contract.

Monaco

In October 2005, Guidolin succeeded Didier Deschamps at Ligue 1 club Monaco. He signed a two-year contract in his first managerial post outside Italy.[8] The club finished 10th in his only season.

Return to Palermo

On 30 May 2006, in a surprise move, Guidolin was re-hired by his former club Palermo.[9] In his absence, they had reached the round of 16 in their inaugural UEFA Cup run, and had also qualified for the 2006–07 UEFA Cup despite finishing eighth in the league, due to Italian match fixing scandals costing other clubs their places. Guidolin's Serie A campaign started well, but after losing star player Amauri to injury in December, the team went over two months without a win. In the UEFA Cup, they progressed to the group stage but failed to qualify for the knockout stages, ending their campaign in December.

The season was also disrupted when the club was one of the two teams involved in the Sicilian derby of 2 February 2007 which led to riots and a police fatality, resulting in various safety restrictions being imposed on the league. Having dropped out of the UEFA Champions League qualification places, Guidolin was sacked on 23 April following a 4–3 home defeat to relegation-threatened Parma. After his assistant Renzo Gobbo failed to halt the club's slide, the sacking was revoked on 14 May after two further defeats.[10] After finally finishing fifth and therefore qualifying for the 2007–08 UEFA Cup, Guidolin was sacked again, being replaced by Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono.[11]

In October 2007, Guidolin declined to take up an offer to coach struggling English Championship side Queens Park Rangers after failing to agree personal terms.[12][13]

On 26 November 2007, with Palermo having been eliminated from the UEFA Cup in the first round and slipping to ninth place in Serie A, Guidolin was unexpectedly re-appointed by Palermo for a record fourth time, replacing Colantuono.[14] After only gaining 18 points in 17 matches, he was sacked again on 24 March 2008 at the end of a run of three defeats, the latter followed by controversial criticism from him of the fans.[15]

Parma

On 30 September 2008, Guidolin signed a contract with Serie B side Parma, guiding them to second place in the 2008–09 campaign, earning promotion back into the top flight. A good start to the following Serie A season saw the team constantly in the top ten for the first half, before finally ending mid-table. Despite the manner of his departure from Palermo, he is still today hailed as one of the club legends and was warmly welcomed during his return as Parma manager, albeit suffering a late defeat to his old side.[16]

Return to Udinese
Guidolin managing Udinese in April 2011

After two seasons at Parma, Guidolin resigned in order to take up the head coach position at Serie A side Udinese for a second time, who despite having recent history of European football, had recently finished in 15th place, nine points and three places clear of the relegation zone.[17]

After a poor start to the 2010–11 Serie A season, the team went on to record their highest points total in history and finished in fourth place, earning themselves a spot in the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League qualifying round on the final Serie A matchday. Guidolin kept his promise of "dancing like Boateng" if they qualified, and did a little jig in the middle of the pitch. Later that year, he was awarded the Panchina d'Oro as the best coach of the league.[18]

In the next season, the club were unable to qualify for the Champions League proper after losing to Arsenal, but progressed as far as the round of 16 in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League, being eliminated by Dutch side AZ. They finished the 2011–12 Serie A in third place, the best result in the club's history, equalling Alberto Zaccheroni's 1996–97 season, again achieving a place in the qualifying round for the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League. In his third season at Udinese, Guidolin again failed to reach the Champions League proper, losing on penalties to Braga, but this time also finished bottom of their group in the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League. In the Serie A table, the club finished fifth, reaching the Europa League qualifying round for a third time.

Pozzo family consultant

On 20 May 2014, Guidolin took the decision to leave coaching, but maintained a link with Udinese by becoming the technical supervisor for the club's chairman Giampaolo Pozzo, thereby also overseeing his two other clubs, Spanish side Granada and English team Watford.[19]

Swansea City

On 18 January 2016, Guidolin was named head coach of Swansea City, at that point struggling in the 2015–16 Premier League, only two points above the relegation zone,[20] to work alongside interim manager Alan Curtis, who took the post of first team coach.[21] While the decision baffled some pundits, the Swansea chairman argued that Guidolin's achievements at Udinese on a relatively small budget were similar to what the club was trying to achieve.[22] At the time of his appointment, Guidolin was virtually unknown to the English game and club captain Ashley Williams later admitted that he had to "Google" his new manager.[23]

Guidolin took charge of his first game on 24 January 2016, an away fixture at Goodison Park which Swansea City won 2–1, recording the club's first-ever league win over Everton.[24] On 1 May, Guidolin mathematically secured Swansea's place in the Premier League for the following season, as the club defeated Liverpool 3–1 at Liberty Stadium.[20] On 11 May 2016, and despite intense speculation and betting that former manager Brendan Rodgers would replace him, Guidolin was invited to sign a new two-year-contract with Swansea after impressing the club's board of directors with his achievements in the late winter and spring of the 2015–16 season.[25]

After a poor start in the Premier League the following season, Guidolin was sacked on 3 October 2016, his 61st birthday, and replaced with immediate effect by former United States national team manager Bob Bradley.[26][27]

Style of management

Having won the Panchina d'oro award in 2011, Guidolin is considered one of the best Italian coaches in circulation, and was initially known for using a Sacchi-inspired 4–4–2 formation (or its variant, the 4–4–1–1) towards the beginning of his coaching career. Later, he became known for his versatility and ability to adopt tactical systems which were most suitable to his players. He has also made use of 4–3–2–1, 3–4–1–2, 3–1–4–1–1, or 3–5–2 (or 3–5–1–1) formations throughout his career.[28] Giovanni Cornacchini, who played under Guidolin at Vicenza, described him as the best coach he ever had, and as the manager who was the most prepared on the pitch.[29]

Managerial statistics
As of 3 October 2016
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref
G W D L Win %
Empoli 1 July 1991 1 July 1992 40 12 21 7 030.00 [30]
Ravenna 1 July 1992 1 July 1993 44 24 15 5 054.55 [31]
Atalanta 1 July 1993 2 November 1993 12 4 2 6 033.33 [32]
Vicenza 1 July 1994 1 July 1998 165 65 52 48 039.39 [33]
Udinese 1 July 1998 1 July 1999 44 19 11 14 043.18 [34]
Bologna 30 October 1999 22 June 2003 148 49 44 55 033.11 [35]
Palermo 26 January 2004 1 July 2005 64 24 25 15 037.50 [36]
Genoa 1 July 2005 31 July 2005 0 0 0 0 !—
Monaco 4 October 2005 29 May 2006 40 16 12 12 040.00 [37]
Palermo 29 May 2006 23 April 2007 41 16 11 14 039.02 [36]
Palermo 15 May 2007 7 June 2007 2 2 0 0 100.00 [36]
Palermo 26 November 2007 24 March 2008 19 5 4 10 026.32 [36]
Parma 30 September 2008 24 May 2010 75 32 26 17 042.67 [38]
Udinese 24 May 2010 20 May 2014 185 80 45 60 043.24 [34]
Swansea City 18 January 2016 3 October 2016 25 9 5 11 036.00 [22][39]
Total 904 357 273 274 039.49

Honours

Manager
Ravenna[40]
Vicenza[40][41]
Palermo[40][41]

Individual

References
  1. "Comunicato Ufficiale N. 83" [Official Press Release No. 83] (PDF). Lega Serie A. 12 November 2012. p. 6. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  2. "Guidolin: Francesco Guidolin". BDFutbol. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  3. "aulamagnamagna.it". Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2006.
  4. Alfonso Fasano. "Il Sogno Europeo del Vicenza di Guidolin" (in Italian). Storie dei Calcio. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  5. "Lo sport a volte è proprio atroce" (in Italian). La Repubblica. 14 April 2003. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  6. Barker, Matt. "Sicily". When Saturday Comes (209). Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  7. "Guidolin's hand to guide Genoa". UEFA. 22 June 2005. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  8. "Monaco go for Guidolin". UEFA. 4 October 2005. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  9. "Guidolin back at Palermo". Eurosport. 30 May 2006. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  10. "Soccer-Sacked Guidolin returns to coach Palermo". Reuters. 14 May 2007.
  11. "Colantuono takes top job at Palermo". UEFA. 7 June 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  12. "Guidolin confirms R's offer". SKY Sports. 16 October 2007. Retrieved 16 October 2007.
  13. "De Canio set for QPR". Football Italia. 25 October 2007. Archived from the original on 26 October 2007. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
  14. "Palermo, via Colantuono. Guidolin pronto al ritorno" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 26 November 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2007.
  15. "Guidolin axed, Colantuono back". Football Italia. 24 March 2008. Archived from the original on 27 March 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
  16. "Palermo grab late Parma win". SKY Sport. 20 February 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  17. "Francesco Guidolin nuovo allenatore dell'Udinese" (in Italian). Udinese Calcio. 24 May 2010. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  18. "A Guidolin la Panchina d'oro Quella d'argento a Tesser" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  19. Ben Gladwell (20 May 2014). "Guidolin leaves role as Udinese boss". ESPN FC. Retrieved 27 January 2016..
  20. Dafydd Pritchard (1 May 2016). "Swansea City boss Francesco Guidolin 'proud' of survival". BBC. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  21. "Swansea set to appoint Francesco Guidolin as head coach alongside Alan Curtis". Sky Sports. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  22. "Francesco Guidolin: Swansea City name Italian as new head coach". The Guardian. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  23. "Ashley Williams: We had to Google new Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin". The Guardian. 19 January 2016. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  24. "Everton 1–2 Swansea: Francesco Guidolin wins first game in charge". Sky Sports. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  25. "Swansea City head coach Francesco Guidolin signs new two-year contract". The Guardian. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  26. "Bradley appointed manager as Guidolin departs Swans". Swansea City A.F.C. official website. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  27. Stuart James (3 October 2016). "Swansea City hire Bob Bradley after sacking manager Francesco Guidolin". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  28. Massimo Meroi (25 July 2011). "Le grandi manovre di Guidolin" (in Italian). Il Messaggero Veneto. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  29. "Cornacchini: "Van Basten il più forte. Guidolin..."" (in Italian). Tutto Bari. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  30. "Empoli FC: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  31. "Ravenna Calcio: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  32. "Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  33. "Vicenza Calcio: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  34. "Udinese Calcio: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  35. "Bologna FC 1909 : Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  36. "US Città di Palermo: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  37. "AS Monaco FC: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  38. "Parma Calcio 1913: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  39. "Managers: Francesco Guidolin". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  40. "Manager Profile - Francesco Guidolin". premierleague.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  41. "F. Guidolin". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
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