Torino have officially rolled the dice. Ignazio Abate is the new man in the dugout at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, a decision that has raised mo...
Torino have officially rolled the dice. Ignazio Abate is the new man in the dugout at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, a decision that has raised more than a few eyebrows in the corridors of Italian football. This is not your typical appointment of a seasoned Serie A tactician. This is a move that speaks of a club looking for something different, something raw, something with an edge of risk.Abate arrives with a reputation forged in the Milan youth system, where he guided the Primavera side to a Coppa Italia title. But the leap from nurturing teenagers to commanding a squad of hardened professionals in a league built on defensive structure and cynical game management is a chasm, not a step. Can he bridge that gap The question hangs over Turin like morning fog over the Po.Torino are a club that has often found itself in the mid table mire, a side with history but lacking a consistent identity. Abate's task is to provide that. He will need to imprint his philosophy quickly. The fans will demand a certain grit, a Granata spirit that runs through the stands. Anything less than a side that fights for every blade of grass will be met with that infamous whistle.This is not a signing designed to spark a title charge. Let's be clear on that. This is a long term bet on a coach who understands the modern game but has yet to prove he can handle the pressure of a relegation scrap or the tactical minefield of a Derby della Mole against Juventus. It is a proper footballing test, the kind that makes or breaks a man. Abate has the pedigree as a player. We are about to find out if he has the nerve for the technical area. Squeaky bum time starts now for the new boss.GoalZaza understands that the contract is structured with clear performance clauses. The boardroom has not given him a blank cheque. He has to earn his stripes. The hope is that his familiarity with developing talent can unearth a diamond or two from the club's own academy, a path that has provided countless fond memories for the faithful in the past.So, welcome to the hot seat, Ignazio. You wanted the top job. Now show us you can handle the heat without getting burned.
