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Balotelli considers becoming a coach but has one doubt
Former Italy star Mario Balotelli admits he considers becoming a coach after the end of his playing career: ‘But what if I find another one with my same character?’
Former Serie A and Italy star Balotelli is considering becoming a coach.
Balotelli ‘thinking’ about becoming a coach
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Genoa’s Mario Balotelli in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match Parma Calcio vs Genoa CFC at Ennio Tardini stadium in Parma, Italy, 04 November 2024. EPA-EFE/ELISABETTA BARACCHI
“I’m thinking about it as I’m getting old,” Balotelli told reporters on Saturday, via Gazzetta.
“But what if I find another one with my same character? What would I do next?”
Balotelli spoke to Italian media from the Milan Airport, where he’ll take off for Saudi Arabia today to sign a contract for Al-Ettifaq.
“It’s a nice project. It’s hot in there, while here it’s cold, so I can’t wait to get there. I’m even stronger than the others,” Balotelli said, smiling.
“There were a few calls from Italy. We tried to negotiate, but I wasn’t up for it. I think football has changed; there are other players, and it’s right to make room for them. I’m 35.”
Balotelli ended the 2024-25 season at Genoa, but it was never really a positive spell for him as the Grifone hired Patrick Vieira just a few weeks after signing the striker in November 2024.
Balotelli could still have been a Genoa player
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GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 21: Mario Balotelli of Genoa looks on during the Serie A match between Genoa and Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 21, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Vieira and Balotelli had already clashed at Nice, leading to Balotelli’s departure from the French club.
“They [Genoa] decided to hire a coach I wasn’t on good terms with. If they hadn’t made this choice, I’d still be there,” Balotelli said.
Speaking about his possible heir in Italian football, Balo replied: “It’s hard to find players in Italy who are the same way I was at 20. I give a lot of responsibility to Pio Esposito; he could do well.”
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epa03286781 Italy’s Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring the 2-0 lead during the semi final match of the UEFA EURO 2012 between Germany and Italy in Warsaw, Poland, 28 June 2012. EPA/MARCUS BRANDT UEFA Terms and Conditions apply https://www.epa.eu/downloads/UEFA-EURO2012-TCS.pdf
Lastly, he commented on Italy’s chances to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
“I wish the best to Gattuso. He has taken charge of a difficult situation, but he is a determined person who gets all the way to the end when he does things,” Balotelli concluded.
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