The former number 10: “The Scudetto and Super Cup are symbols of greatness. Chivu is talented and well-prepared.”

They don’t make 10s like they used to, beautiful souls who draw you in—even with a whisper—into fairy tales that only honorary officers of the British Empire can. Sir Gianfranco Zola is football that envelops you in its dreamlike parables, it is the breath of his origins, Sardinia, which is brought back to life, it is a call to feelings – Napoli, Parma, Chelsea, Cagliari, Torres, Nuorese – that dazzles you, because it represents the gratitude of those years lived. Gianfranco Zola is that “magic box” where you go to listen to unforgettable melodies, verses of ageless soccer, of a timeless man, worthy of top marks.

A 2025 marked by Napoli, Zola, is coming to an end.

“The Scudetto and Super Cup are symbols of a greatness that belongs to him. It is undeniable and has been written over the last fifteen years, in which Aurelio De Laurentiis has invested powerfully and appropriately.“

And what will 2026 be like?

”The strongest, even if only slightly, for me is Inter. But I am a romantic, I say Napoli for what it has represented in my life. My eldest son was born there, and I don’t need to remind you that I have received so much there.“

Choose the men of the year.

”I could say Antonio Conte, who won. But that would be unfair to De Laurentiis. I could say Beppe Marotta, who has confirmed that he is number one, but I shouldn’t ignore Cristian Chivu, a choice by the Nerazzurri president that is amazing me.“

Try to guess those of the future.

”Complicated, I’d say impossible. Pio Esposito and Scamacca are gifts for the national team; Hojlund is driving everyone crazy, even Manchester United, who, after McTominay, have also given up a striker like that for Ten Haag’s reckless interpretations. And then there’s Lautaro Martinez or Thuram. Or Chivu himself. Or Conte, who could make history by winning two consecutive titles in Naples.”

Inter first, today. Why?

“They have two players of the highest caliber in every position, which projects them internationally as one of the most influential teams. They knew how to take risks, they wanted Chivu, they believed in him, and Marotta and Ausilio were rewarded for this intuition: we must recognize the courage of their choice in those complicated and even painful days, the aftermath of the defeat against PSG, a somewhat difficult climate. And Chivu is proving his worth in every way: technically, tactically, and communicatively. He speaks well, says the right things, and is thoughtful. Inter is also the team that reached two Champions League finals: getting there was an achievement in itself. Then they lost, but to put it simply, only one team can win.”

Milan up there, would you have said that?

“I wouldn’t have gone so far as to say they would be in the title race. They have Allegri, who is a factor, absorbing difficulties and solving them. He has experience that speaks for him. And Max has the personality to be in a club with such an impressive past. He’ll hold out, he won’t give up.“

Napoli is now a form of soccer ‘power’ that has been conquered over time and on the field.

”The same applies to Inter, in some ways even more so. De Laurentiis has played a big part in this, which has become enormous with the ability to sign Conte. It’s a club that carries with it years and years of absolute authority, if we think about who the coaches have been in this era and which players have come and gone. And then there’s the immediacy on the transfer market: Lukaku gets injured and they go out and buy Hojlund with cash.“

Coaches matter a lot.

”Of course they do. Think of Spalletti, who revived Juventus, and Gasperini, who can build on his triumphs with Atalanta at Roma. The latest Gasp has even evolved; before, it was all about verticality, but now it’s also about passing, which was already there before. But these are solutions that enrich the team.”

There are also good things happening in Cagliari, and not just in terms of a sense of belonging.

“Fabio Pisacane has shaped the team, which uses its brains a lot. Even against superior opponents, it goes out to play and always does so intelligently. It’s a nice way to give yourself a clear, distinct identity, which is very pleasing.”

He also got to know Fabregas closely at Chelsea.

“In the year with Sarri, when we won the Europa League in Baku against Arsenal. An extraordinary player and a coach who will win people over: Como is no surprise, not for how they play and how they invest. They spend but they have prospects, with young players who are so beautiful to watch. And then add Italiano and Bologna, a reality, with a spectacular rate that is always remarkable.”

2026 is the year of the World Cup: we can’t miss it.

“The history of our football cannot afford it, so everyone, including the press, must play their part and create the right atmosphere. We are not to be discarded, we never were, but we must be there, because missing out on two already has been a blow. Gattuso must be supported, even by luck: there are strikers who can fuel the offensive force, already significant with Kean and Retegui.”

His drive comes from the bottom up: in Serie C, as vice president under Marani, you are developing concepts…

“Matteo is a top-notch manager. The work of recent years has focused on strategic change in clubs, and now we need to help investors find resources. We need to create a sustainable model. We started with quantity and now we are pursuing quality. We need to create a supply chain and ensure that managers who are willing to make economic sacrifices are supported so that they can believe in what they are doing, insist on young people, and give them confidence.”