Rolando Maran was officially announced yesterday as the new coach of Albania, succeeding Silvinjo. The Italian technician is seen as a surprise choice. Not only for our country, but also for Italy. For this reason, "La Gazzetta dello Sport" published a special interview today, to get to know the new coach of the National Team better.

Why did this change come at the age of 62?

Because when Albania called me, I was thrilled. I immediately felt that it is a nation with extraordinary pride and a sense of belonging.

And now, where will you live? In Tirana or in Italy?

In Tirana. For me, the experience should be lived this way. On Sunday I will move and start my real job. And the city is beautiful, with extraordinary hospitality. My wife, who is a designer, will come and go. We are used to it.

Xhani De Biazi, who led Albania to the European Championship, slept with a chair behind the door on his first night in Tirana. For fear of unpleasant surprises. Prejudices from another era… Have you spoken to each other?

Of course, Xhani is a friend, he was the first person I called. I remember that adventure of his very well. I was rooting for him. He told me that he had no doubts, that I was making the right choice. And that Albania had made the right choice by choosing me. That made me happy. Surprisingly, I also spoke with Igli Tara 20 days ago at Milanello. I could not have imagined that I would be coaching his national team.

Let's choose an emotion from these first days.

The Albania jersey with my name and number 28, like the European Championship we want to play in. It gave me a sense of responsibility and joy.

Let's look at the journey. How does he get from Trento to Tirana after 27 years of work?

I come from a family of artisans, people who have always worked. My father and brothers were in construction, painting and paneling. I'm the same way. I don't seek attention and I like to work.

First coaching experience was in 1997-98. Assistant coach to Silvio Baldini at Kiev. Now one is managing Italy, the other Albania and it seems unbelievable. Let's face it: How crazy is Baldini on a scale of 1 to 10?

Not that crazy, believe me. He has a very strong character, but he always knows what he's doing. I'll always be grateful to him. He promised me he'd take me to Serie B, and an hour after I was on the bench, he called me. After 10 seconds, I stopped playing and said yes.

The most difficult and most beautiful moment in these years as a coach?

The hardest was in Genoa, when we had 22 players who tested positive for COVID. Total uncertainty. The best was our debut in Serie A, Roma-Catania 2-2 in August 2012. We were winning playing well, they equalized 2-2 in the 91st minute, and in extra time, we hit the crossbar with Castro. We proved that we went there to win, not to get a point.

One thing you have learned in the last 10 years?

I have become more tolerant. Before, I had less patience. If things didn't go my way, I would get very angry. I have learned to accept a different way of experiencing football.

An example?

Pitu Barrientos at Catania. He seemed lazy, but now I realize he gave me everything. Or rather, everything he had.

Is the greatest player you've ever coached Papu Gomez?

It's difficult to answer. Papu, Barela, Srna, Naingolan, Almiron, Pandev at the end of his career...

So what is it like to coach Naingola?

A spectacle. Off the field, let's say he's... unbridled, but having him on the field was a pleasure. He made you proud.

Now, what achievement would make you proud of this experience with Albania?

The goal is to return to League B in the Nations League and qualify for the European Championship. I dream of achieving great results and writing a page in history. I thank the president of the federation, Duka, for the choice. The Tirana stadium left me speechless, I can't wait to train there. I want to go and watch as many training sessions as possible and study Albanian to talk to the players. I would like to train the way I always do. Proactive, vertical and combative. Achieving results through sweat and effort is in the DNA of this nation.

Let's take a two-question test to figure out what kind of coach Maran will be. Question one: your favorite national team of all time?

Italy in 1982. I was 19 and I wanted to be a footballer. The right age to appreciate it. Then Cruyff's Holland. They played such a sophisticated style of football that it seemed like a dream to us kids.

Second: your favorite players today?

Those technicians. Let's say Pedri, Oliseh, Mbappe.

And do you remember that quote from Gigi Riva about his Cagliari?

And who can forget it? Riva was a man with a capital B and a champion. I will be proud of those compliments forever.