Cremonese`s Visionary Coach Leads Newly-Promoted Side to Serie A Summit: “I Teach Intuition to My Players, We Aim to Establish Ourselves Here.”
At the Arvedi technical center, Davide Nicola settles down and shares his philosophy: “Have you ever heard of a `thinking player`? It`s a misleading definition. According to neuroscience, 95% of a player`s activity on the field is unconscious. The brain decides a fraction of a second beforehand, drawing on what it has already experienced and internalized in training. I don`t want `thinking players,` but rather players prepared to act on instinct. My role is to help them resolve situations. I don`t want robots; I want individuals who live in the moment and can anticipate what`s next through intuition. It`s my job to shape those experiences. This is the essence of coaching.” Discussing Cremonese`s surprising first-place position, the arrival of Jamie Vardy, and their Serie A campaign, it`s clear Nicola speaks with a continuous flow, his every word consumed by his unique football phenomenology.
How would you define your style of football?
“I start with the concept of dominating the game. What does that truly mean? Who wouldn`t want to dominate? For me, dominating the game means dominating situations: when a player is comfortable both in possession and without it, and during transitions, that player is top-tier. The ideal player is one who understands and adapts to the context. My responsibility is to prepare them for this. Understanding the game involves knowing certain geometric relationships – how to disrupt and rebuild them within a space, fostering freedom and connections with teammates. That`s what makes the difference.”
Let`s get into the complexities. Do tactical schemes still have a place?
“Yes. Organization, tactical discipline, and game structure are fundamental. They serve to enhance a player`s qualities and talent. Schemes are particularly crucial in the non-possession phase, when players return to their assigned zones of responsibility.”
What does `talent` mean to you?
“It`s the ability to discover new pathways beyond those already learned.”
First place, Vardy`s arrival. Do you enjoy the buzz around Cremonese?
“I don`t perceive it as mere hype, but rather as genuine enthusiasm from the people for what we`re achieving. The connection with our fans will be our true engine.”
What convinced you about the Cremonese project?
“It began with the desire of everyone involved to be fully present. When they called me, I was fascinated. I thought, `This is a tremendous challenge.` I consider myself a dreamer with lead-filled shoes – I know a well-defined project is essential, then you must make choices, stumble, and build.”
Is it possible to envision, over time, something beyond just avoiding relegation?
“Together with President Arvedi and the club, we have collectively outlined the technical project and identified the ideal player profiles. This is a place with resources, and we want to create the foundations to stay in this division, then assess if we can grow with the right steps.”
Can a friendship exist between coach and player?
“Not friendship, but complicity. The coach must be a calm, loyal, and energetic guide. So, I use two terms: complicity and respect.”
What do you like, and dislike, about Italian football?
“I like that we discuss functional possession rather than purely aesthetic possession. We are changing in this regard, no longer getting lost in certain dualisms that prove unproductive. What I dislike is the cultural approach to error. Here, it`s often demonized, yet it`s fundamental for learning.”
How would you rate Cremonese`s transfer market activity?
“I don`t give grades. We aimed to build a competitive squad for our stated goal, which is avoiding relegation – not a trivial task. Every player was chosen by us through meetings and video analysis. Each new component has characteristics designed to complete the team. We achieved our objectives.”
Going into more detail…
“We have 10-12 players born between 2000 and 2004, mostly Italian. We are convinced that there are incredible Italian talents, and we want to work with them. There are many talents right here in our country. We need to be careful to give them confidence and support them. The same goes for our foreign players. Added to these are three players born in 1999, and so on, building up to our two true veterans, Vardy and Vazquez. But even they are players who, if you tell them to stay behind the ball, will do it without question.”
On Jamie Vardy…
“When we realized the operation was feasible, we began explaining what we wanted to build here. To feel such a strong alignment and to be chosen by him from this perspective was significant. He`s a player who is still hungry.”
How will you manage the squad depth?
“There isn`t an `abundance` of players; we have just the right number. Modern football thrives on the ability to make an impact regardless of playing time. Those who make a decisive difference are chosen.”
How do you view Serie A?
“It`s a selective tournament, different from other European leagues. Any player or coach who arrives quickly realizes the complexity of the Italian league. It`s often, and unfairly, denigrated. It`s strategically competitive and difficult.”
