«I enter your story on tiptoe». Still surprised by the welcome he received yesterday at Elmas airport, Davide Nicola virtually embraces the whole island and launches the challenge, making sure to point out: «I didn't leave Empoli, I accepted Cagliari». Then revealing: «The desire to coach him is latent, I've had it since I started this career».
Dark jacket, composed smile and polite manners. And like his predecessor, he shakes hands with all the people present in the belly of Unipol Domus before starting the presentation press conference. «The negotiation was long because two very serious clubs and people who respected the roles of others were involved», underlines the new rossoblù coach who, before answering the questions, is keen to thank the fans who welcomed him upon his arrival: «A unexpected, fantastic welcome. It immediately gave me a sense of strong belonging, of unity, of family."
Claudio Ranieri's legacy doesn't worry him, it's rather a stimulus for him. «I collect a witness from a great man», the premise. «We are talking about the person, first of all, with whom comparisons cannot be made. I have a unique and unparalleled respect for him. We spoke in the week between his salvation and mine and I jealously guard that message which I treasure. And I add: his ways, his tones, in addition to his great career, were an additional motivation for accepting Cagliari."
Market chapter. «My priority today is to get to know the players who are there since, apart from Scuffet, I have never coached any of them», clarifies Nicola. «Then the company knows where to intervene. We will have the opportunity and time to make all the assessments."
The calendar with four out of five home games starting is a detail for the former Empoli coach: «Playing in front of our people must be a source of pride and drive. But I aim to have an identity that gives us continuity both at home and away." It's still too early to talk about modules: «Ours will undoubtedly be an aggressive, dynamic game».
Davide Nicola knows what he wants and how to take it forward. And the fact that he has been labeled more as a coach suited to taking over in desperate situations doesn't cross his mind: «Labels don't interest me. I am interested in achieving goals and representing people. Dedication, perseverance, work, enthusiasm. This is the driving force behind everything." Nicola thinks big, but makes no proclamations: « I believe that consolidating the category is already a good result. Ambition is inherent in each of us. However, it must be contextualised." Now the word goes to the field.
