During the lockdown, you were a speaker at a seminar full of referees. Do you find the opportunities given for coaches & referees to meet and communicate enough?
No: we should have more. I think it would be very nice to have a deeper level of communication because every time I talk to the referees I understand more about their work.
To what extent is it important to increase the communication between coaches and referees to improve the quality of the game?
I can’t tell you to what extent. I only know that there are positive things when there is good communication. I don’t see a bad thing. I believe that we should be more proactive. What I mean … the referees should explain things to you, and you should explain things to the referees; this is how you teach. Most of the time, if you give some knowledge from your side to the referees, it is easier for them. Same for us, coaches, it is easier to educate our players when the referees teach us and say what they check first, how they act in their decision making.
Andrea Trinchieri and referees
Are you a referee?
No!
But you are a fan of referees?
Yes!
I see that! They do have a tough job, and they don’t have a lot of fans…
While coaching Bamberg, you had a not-so-positive opinion about Bayern.
How do you know my opinions?
I read in one of your interviews. You defined them (Bayern) as “aliens.” How did your opinions change over the years, which led you to join this club?
Is it negative?
No, but I said, “very little positive.”
Nothing
Remember that I am Italian, so I play with words. So, beware! What is sometimes not understood is that we sell a product. Bayern vs Bamberg was BBL’s most important match for three years. I want BBL to be the best league in Europe. So, if I contribute with some content, it doesn’t mean that I have not-very-positive-opinions. I create a story, which you can write about later. If I tell you “Difficult game, they are very good. Best will win.”, what do you write?
Nothing.
Nothing. If you are told the story that “they are aliens”, you write something. Do you understand?
Yes!! You have successful years in Bamberg with Daniele Baiesi. However, you had, let’s say, a disagreement which led him to leave Bamberg. You’ll have to work again. Now everything is fine?
Do we have to, or do we want to? I think that neither Daniele nor I “have to” work with anyone. We decide. Clearly, one of the problems with this job is that it involves certain levels of pressure, a dose of stress. And the time is a multiplier of pressure and stress. I want to work with him, and I believe that Daniele would also give you the same answer. We have a huge advantage: we know each other very well. I know how he works; he knows how I work. This is an advantage.