The upcoming Roma-Atalanta match is not just a clash between two teams, but also a meeting of two of Serie A’s most experienced managers: Claudio Ranieri and Gian Piero Gasperini. Far from being past their prime, these seasoned coaches demonstrate that certain abilities transcend scientific formulas and tactical trends.
At 73, Ranieri has quickly revitalized Roma, transforming a struggling team into one that nearly conquered Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Meanwhile, 66-year-old Gasperini, fresh from winning the Europa League, is leading the most ambitious Atalanta in history to second place in the league.
This resurgence of experienced managers is not limited to Italy. Across Europe, football has rediscovered the value of wisdom in the dugout. Carlo Ancelotti, at 65, still reigns at Real Madrid, while 63-year-old Luis de La Fuente leads the Spanish national team. In Italy, the national team is now under the guidance of 65-year-old Luciano Spalletti, who became the oldest manager to win the Scudetto with Napoli at 64.
This trend marks a departure from the previous decade’s fascination with young managers. The early 2010s saw clubs like Inter Milan, Roma, and AC Milan entrusting their teams to coaches in their 30s and early 40s. While these young managers were undoubtedly talented, their appointments often reflected an overly optimistic attempt to replicate Barcelona’s success with Pep Guardiola.
The pendulum swing back to experienced managers can be attributed to the realization that tactical knowledge alone is insufficient. In today’s high-pressure football environment, with congested calendars and intense scrutiny, the ability to motivate players and manage diverse personalities is crucial. Seasoned coaches, with their wealth of experiences and case studies, are often better equipped to handle these challenges.
Ranieri and Gasperini exemplify this trend. Ranieri, famous for his miraculous Premier League title with Leicester City, needed just moments to reignite Roma’s passion. Gasperini, working on his own Italian version of the Leicester miracle, has a track record of revitalizing players who struggled elsewhere, with Charles De Ketelaere being the latest example.
The success of these veteran coaches challenges the notion that age is a limiting factor in football management. As Rita Levi Montalcini, the Nobel laureate who continued her research well into her hundreds, once said, “The body may do what it wants, I am my mind.” Gasperini and Ranieri embody this spirit, bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm to their roles despite their years.
