INDIAN Super League (ISL) team Delhi Dynamos have unveiled Italian World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta as their new manager for the third season of the competition this year.
The 39-year-old former defender, who was part of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning team, will replace another World Cup-winner, Roberto Carlos of Brazil, at the helm of affairs.
Zambrotta, who has reportedly signed a two year contract with the Delhi-based side, is regarded as one of the best full-backs of his generation, plying his trade with several big clubs in Europe.
Club president Prashant Agarwal said, “We are proud to welcome another champion in our midst. Zambrotta comes with tremendous experience and a formidable reputation. We trust him to lead our Lions (Delhi Dynamos) to victory.”
“I am delighted to be part of the Delhi Dynamos family. It’s a great opportunity for me to be coach of this side. The objective is to win the ISL title and create history. I would love to do my bit in taking Indian football to the next level,” Zambrotta said.
“I will give my absolute best to the team and will also love to learn about Indian culture. My focus will be on a good defensive system and team coordination. I would promise you that Delhi Dynamos will play attractive, attacking football.”
Zambrotta had a two-year coaching stint with Swiss club Chiasso after retiring as a player. He said his good friend and Dynamos’ marquee player in the first season Alessandro del Piero gave
him a lot of encouragement to go to India. “I heard about the ISL from Alessandro, who is “Carlos is a living legend and he did very well to take the club to the semi-finals last year. I know that expectations will be high. But I am confident of taking those last two extra steps with the team.”
During his seven seasons with Zambrotta won two consecutive Serie A titles in 2002 and 2003. He also later spent two seasons with Barcelona between 2006 and 2008 before returning to Italy to play for AC Milan, where he won his third Serie A title in 2011. He ended his career after a with Swiss club Chiasso in 2014.
At international level, he won 98 caps the 2000 Olympics. He was part of their side that reached the Euro 2000 final. He was a key member of squad that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
