Paulo Sousa: ‘Gasperini is a role model, I haven’t heard from Roma’

Speaking in an interview with Corriere dello Sport, former Fiorentina and Salernitana coach Paulo Sousa confirmed that he has not heard from the Roma management. Now managing Shabab Al-Ahli in Dubai, Sousa reflected on his experiences and offers his views on current Serie A coaches.

Sousa, 54, began by discussing his time in Italy: “Coming to Italy was fundamental. I had the opportunity to measure myself against champions from whom I learned a lot.” He specifically mentioned Vialli and Baggio as influential figures in his development.

Addressing his own personal growth, Sousa admitted, “I was so fragile that I reacted with impulsiveness, vulnerable, but also human. As I grew, I always gave a lot of weight to the relational aspect, to individual values, to others.”

On current Italian football, Sousa expressed admiration for several coaches: “I see a flourishing of very well-prepared and proactive coaches. Marco Baroni’s Lazio play pleases me immensely. Everyone participates, everyone is involved.”

He also praised Gasperini: “Gasperini, who changes something every year, adding solutions to a game that has long been more than just man-to-man. He’s the one who has influenced Italian football the most in recent times.”

Regarding his time at Fiorentina, Sousa said, “We came so close to doing something extraordinary. The ownership had – let’s say – family distractions, but that remains an extraordinary year, of considerable enhancement of the squad.”

On the Roma rumors, Sousa revealed, “Years ago Franco Baldini [contacted me]. Then nothing more… But here in Dubai they have made huge investments for me, they make me feel good, I want to win with them.”

Finally, Sousa praised José Mourinho: “He changed the history of us Portuguese coaches. The first to understand the evolution of football also in terms of communication. Inimitable.”