“We are a company and he was not in step with the times.” Things that happen when football is no longer a game, and when experience is instead mistaken for old age. In reality it doesn’t just happen in football, and Attilio Tesser could be a symbol of a world in which at a certain age one is considered inadequate.
In short, his case is emblematic: 66 years old, promotion specialist, practically a guru of Serie C, ten months ago he was kicked out of third-placed Triestina after a couple of defeats. It didn’t matter that in his past there was the climb from Lega Pro to Serie A with Novara, that Cremonese had returned to Serie B thanks to him. «The conditions were no longer there», said the halberd club which had spent a lot of money and demanded to explain to him which team to field (“it didn’t valorise the young people”, perhaps an influencer was needed). And so the Union – as the fans call them – went from fighting for promotion to a playoff elimination.
Don’t worry, though: in this world of managers new investments and a new coach arrive to attempt the climb from Serie C. In September we start again: victory on the first day but then three draws in the following 14 matches, with yet another technical change while Tesser was still payroll, yet always out of the picture. Six points in the standings, last by gap, in the end the surrender: Attilio is recalled, third coach in three months, practically the move of desperation. «What do we have to do to get back up? – he explains – Group, and fill the area to score goals». Simple stuff, in short, the same thing that ten months earlier was no longer a business plan.
In 5 games with him back on the bench, Triestina collected a draw in Padova (with first in the standings), a victory against Vicenza (second), then another 6 points for a total of 10 in 5 games.
Now the team, after the 3-0 against Clodiense, is third from last in the playout zone and he, with the usual seriousness and skill cultivated over time, keeps the bar straight: «I have clarified everything with the club, we continue to work ». Let’s face it: if he were old enough he would be a perfect company man.