Zdenek Zeman - Donadoni should stay

[D-Kin]

Zdenek Zeman has returned to his controversial best by again slamming the Italian football system.

The tactician, sacked by Lecce this season, has always been one of the games most outspoken critics and insists little has changed following last summer’s Calciopoli scandal.

“Today everyone is aware that the system is still working exactly as it was before,” said the Czech. “Therefore, not in a correct nor fair way.

“I do not have the evidence to back up what I’m saying, since I cannot wiretap phones, but someone can.

“Trials which are not over yet must be concluded, but there are things that don’t need any proof since they are evident,” added the former Foggia Coach.

“Overall, I don’t think that this season can be classed as a ‘regular’ championship when you consider that referees who are on trial for their part in Calciopoli continue to officiate even today.”

Zeman also commented on the ‘odd’ end of season results which have seen some of the bigger clubs, with their objectives already secured, fall against teams fighting to avoid the drop.

“If it was up to me then the last few rounds of the season wouldn’t even be played,” noted the former Lazio and Roma boss.

“The last few games of the championship are ugly to watch and ugly for those who are on the pitch.”

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That's what I was on about in the Roma-Messina thread.

In general though I would never believe a word that comes out of Zeman's mouth, he's anti-Juve and doesn't have a clue.

[azzurri]

He is a dick, but he is right, unfortunately.

[D-Kin]

He never stops.

In an exclusive interview with Football Italia, controversial ex-Lecce tactician Zdenek Zeman has given his views on calcio corruption.

The chain-smoking Czech Coach shook the football world in 1998 when he accused Juventus players of using performance-enhancing drugs while he was at Roma.

Zeman has since been ostracised by many of the peninsula’s biggest sides, but stands by his comments even if it rules him out of Serie A’s biggest jobs.

“My career was incredibly damaged, but since then I never stopped coaching, even with great difficulties,” Zeman stated.

“In football today there is no fairness or truth. I don’t believe anyone will speak out, because I am sure players keep on using drugs.

“If someone decides to do so, they will soon find out how, on this matter, the doors of calcio are closed,” he insisted.

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[D-Kin]

And just to prove how clueless he is, here's some more quotes:

"There is no shame in being last. Better last than winning without dignity."

"Sometimes the losers can teach you more than the winners. I believe I have given something different to the people."

"To cover a football pitch there is no better formation than a 4-3-3."

"When I was little in Prague they told me to take that position and never to just take the man. From that day on I never changed my mind - zonal defence would be my first choice."

"I feel I am more Italian than many Italian coaches."

"I rarely tell lies and because of this I feel lonely sometimes. This world is full of lies."

"It's not true that I don't like to win. I just like to win my respecting the rules."

[Forza_Roma]

Good find Joel...he is right about the last few games of the season. Besides the relegation battle.

[D-Kin]

Some more quotes (for those that understand Italian):

"Tutte le partite partono dallo 0-0, sta alla squadra cambiare il risultato"

"Be'...se non abbiamo vinto lo scudetto vuol dire che abbiamo sbagliato qualcosa..."

"Non importa quanto corri, ma dove corri e perchè corri."

"Talvolta i perdenti hanno insegnato più dei vincenti.Penso di aver dato qualcosa di più e di diverso alla gente."

"Non conto le sigarette che fumo ogni giorno, altrimenti mi innervosirei e fumerei di più."

"Mio padre mi voleva medico. Come lui. Meno male che non è andata così."

"Dovrei parlare di arte? Di politica? Di economia? Io sono uno che sta nel calcio, se un giornalista viene da me lo fa perchè vuole avere un'opinione competente, altrimenti fuori dal calcio io sono uno qualunque e il mio parere conta come quello di un contadino. Eppure dal contadino non va nessuno."

"Modulo e sistemi di allenamento non li cambierò mai, qui a Roma come in un'altra città. Per coprire il campo non esiste un modulo migliore del 4-3-3."

"Io alleno, ma non posso scendere in campo e giocare."

"Il calcio è sempre lo stesso, sia in una piccola che in una grande città il campo ha sempre le stesse misure e la preparazione è sempre la stessa."

"Nella mia carriera mi sono procurato tanti nemici: meglio così, loro rappresentano uno stimolo."

"Pretendo che ogni giocatore dia il meglio di se stesso, nel rispetto dell'esigenza di fare spettacolo. Se non vinciamo, nessun dramma. Mi basta che i ragazzi abbiano dato il massimo."

"Da piccolo a Praga mi dissero 'prendi qella posizione' e mai 'prendi quell'uomo': da quel giorno non ho più cambiato idea, sarebbe stata la zona il mio modulo di gioco ideale."

"Il mio calcio è prevedibile? Una stupidagine: che cosa ne sanno i miei colleghi degli schemi di Zeman?"

"Il vero segreto del Foggia non era Zeman ma Pasquale Casillo: se lui fosse rimasto, la squadra non sarebbe mai retrocessa."

Se dipendesse da me mi confermerei sempre. Ma visto che Cragnotti non mi ha ancora offerto un contratto, vuol dire che ha convinzioni diverse. E io non mi fascio la testa per questo."

"Il derby di Roma? E' una partita come le altre, vale tre punti proprio come le altre, e non richiede atteggiamenti tattici particolari."

"Nel calcio non esistono più le bandiere: ormai comandano la politica e l'economia."

"Mi sento più italiano di tanti allenatori italiani."

"Cosa cambierei se potessi tornare indietro? Niente, proprio niente, rifarei esattamente tutto ciò che ho fatto. Nè credo che questo esonero pregiudicherà il mio futuro di allenatore, il calcio che io insegno non finisce con la fine di questa mia esperienza parmense, qualcuno avrà ancora fiducia in me."

"Non ho rapporti con la stampa o la televisione. Voglio essere giudicato per quello che faccio con la mia squadra, non mi interessano altre esibizioni."

"Raramente mi capita di dire una bugia. Per questo mi sento solo. E' un mondo, il nostro, in cui se ne dicono tante."

"Riguardo a chi mi chiede conto di alcuni errori commessi lo scorso anno, posso dire semplicemente che chi fa, fa sempre errori; solo chi non fa nulla non sbaglia. L'importante è fare errori in buona fede, e ancor più importante accorgersene e porvi rimedio."

"Non è vero che non mi piace vincere: mi piace vincere rispettando le regole."

[D-Kin]

Zeman: Calciopoli did nothing Thursday 18 October, 2007

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Ex-Roma Coach Zdenek Zeman believes that the Calciopoli scandal has had no impact on the state of Italian football.

The outspoken Czech tactician has a history of publicly criticising alleged corruption within calcio and he insists that it will take a long time to cleanse the game.

“I think that lots of things are changing, but I haven’t seen any big steps forward yet,” Zeman told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“It won’t be at all easy to do anything with the same people in the same positions.”

Zeman is also disappointed that games have had to be played in closed, or partially closed, stadiums this season due to security fears.

“Football without fans is terrible, but it is the only way as we need to start down the road to eliminating violence from the game,” he admitted.

Roma face Napoli in the Derby del Sud this weekend – two sides that Zeman spent time in charge of.

“I feel half Roman as I lived in the capital for 15 years and although I lived in Naples for only a short time it seemed similar due to its passion for football.”

As for Zeman’s future, it seems that the unemployed Coach may not be headed back to Italy.

“It would be difficult to return to Serie A,” he concluded. “It is more likely that I’ll end up at a foreign team.”

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[sinoy1]

Zednek Zemen was and always will be a legend.He skyrocketed Bojinov's career and Vucinic's with his attacking football.I remember when he was with us it was free flowing spanish style attacking.With little to no disregard on defence I think he should go to spain.That style of attacking better suits him imo.

I love the way he isnt afraid to speak his mind.

[D-Kin]

Blah blah blah....

Zeman defends Donadoni Wednesday 25 June, 2008

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Zdenek Zeman has urged Italy's Federation to keep the faith with Roberto Donadoni despite their Euro 2008 exit.

“It would be a mistake to fire Donadoni. Italy played the same way in the World Cup, they were just less lucky this time,” insisted the former Lazio and Roma tactician.

“It is not right that the only person to pay for the elimination in Austria and Switzerland should be Donadoni, but that appears to be the policy of the Federation.

“If anything, the cause of this lack of success is that many players arrived at this tournament in poor form, a consequence of the unfortunate year Italian clubs had in Europe.”

2006 World Cup winner Marcello Lippi looks set to take over possibly before the end of this week and there are reports Francesco Totti will return from international retirement.

“I don't think Totti will go back on his word. At the time of his retirement I advised him to reconsider, but he didn't listen. As for Amauri, he'd make a good pairing with Luca Toni.”

Zeman was one of the key figures in bringing about the Calciopoli investigation, but is far from heartened at the aftermath.

“I find it wrong that the people who were accused of terrible things still work and are given space in the football world.

“Very little has changed after Calciopoli and I am pessimistic for the future. Up until now the trials have achieved nothing.”

The Coach is resuming his career in Serbia by taking charge of Red Star Belgrade.

“I had received a few offers from Italian clubs, but chose this glorious side because it is easier to work. In Italy the Presidents are too afraid I'll damage the system. In any case, I have no regrets, as Italian football has given me a great deal.”

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