Fabio Capello has claimed that Genoa head coach Alexander Blessin is currently offering ‘something more’ than Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Capello was speaking to Sky Sports Italia after Italy were knocked out of World Cup qualifying by North Macedonia last night.
He said that the Azzurri should look to emulate Klopp’s playing style.
“There were no vertical passes or physical strength, there is no habit to making challenges,” said Capello as transcribed by Football Italia. “On the other hand, we should follow Jurgen Klopp’s playing style.”
“The only ones doing that in Italy are Atalanta and look at their results,” he continued. Vincenzo Italiano is trying something similar, same as Alexander Blessin at Genoa who is offering even something more than Klopp.”
This we’ve got to see. If there is a coach out there out-Klopping Klopp then Liverpool should already be sounding him out for 2024.
Looking to the peninsula
It’s likely that Blessin is imitating Klopp’s methods. Or at least a version of them. As a German himself, he spent time as manager of various youth teams at RB Leipzig.
He then took over at Belgian side KV Oostende where he won manager of the season last year. His team overperformed massively and alerted Genoa to his talents.
The Ligurian side had just sacked Ukranian legend Andriy Shevchenko and have been unable to escape Serie A’s relegation zone all season long.
Step in, Alexander Blessin.
Having only taken over towards the end of January, he has steadied the ship impressively well. Since taking over, Genoa are unbeaten in the eight games that he has overseen.
Unbelievably that has included five 0-0 draws. Until last weekend’s 1-0 win over Torino, they had drawn all of Blessin’s first seven games. Not a bad start at all.
Although, at 48, he isn’t a young manager, perhaps Liverpool will take Capello’s advice and give one or two Genoa games a watch for the rest of the season.
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