Former Inter Milan assistant coach Bruno Caneo admits he and Gian Piero Gasperini didn’t make the most out of the opportunity at Appiano Gentile.
Nowadays, Gasperini is considered among the most celebrated active coaches in Italian football. He has led Atalanta towards unimaginable heights since his arrival in 2016.
The 66-year-old also had two successful stints at Genoa. But in between them, he endured a forgettable spell at Inter which remains the main chagrin in an otherwise brilliant managerial career.
Former Inter president Massimo Moratti appointed Gasperini as head coach in July 2011. But the latter only oversaw three Serie A matches and one in the Champions League.
The legendary patron then wielded the axe in September as the club was still without a win. Claudio Ranieri arrived as his replacement.
As for Caneo, he was Gasperini’s second-in-command at the time. The 67-year-old admits that they didn’t truly seize the opportunity handed to them.
“Before we went to Inter, Napoli contacted us,” reveals the former Nerazzurri assistant coach in his interview with CalcioNapoli24 via FcInterNews.
“There was a meeting between Gasperini and (Napoli president Aurelio) De Laurentiis. But then, everything fell through.
Bruno Caneo Explains What Went Wrong For Gian Piero Gasperini At Inter Milan
“We were in the hotel in Naples and were ready to sign. But then they made an agreement with Walter Mazzarri.
“Nevertheless, Gasperini’s reputation was good at the time, as he had found success at Genoa.
“So we eventually went to Inter, but we didn’t truly exploit the opportunity.”
Caneo felt that the Nerazzurri treble winners weren’t willing to adopt Gapsperini’s new working methods.
“The new mentality and new working method had not been embraced by the group.
“This was the squad of the treble winners. But If you don’t make sacrifices on the pitch, you can’t win.”
