The son of the legendary `Professor` shares insights into his father`s unwavering passion for the game, two decades after his passing during a live TV debate.
Franco Scoglio, the legendary football coach, redefined the language of the sport with his unique expressions. Phrases like, “I don`t write poetry, I go vertical,” “You, back there, stop it. Otherwise, I`ll speak ad minchiam (nonsense),” “I hate Sampdoria and I never miss an opportunity to say it,” and “What ecstasy when I lose,” showcased his direct and consistent persona. Yet, the former Genoa coach was more than just a collection of memorable quotes. Today marks the 20th anniversary of his passing, a departure that Scoglio, ever the visionary, seemed to foretell with an almost prophetic accuracy regarding its timing and manner. Years prior, “The Professor” had prophesied, “I will die talking about Genoa.” And so it happened: on October 3, 2005, he succumbed to cardiac arrest live on television, precisely while discussing with Enrico Preziosi, then-president of the “Grifone” (Genoa). Their debate was lively but civil. As tempers flared, Scoglio made a gesture with his hand and tilted his head back in an unnatural movement, astonishing everyone in the studio. Then, he was gone, having died speaking of Genoa. Today, his son Tobias, adopted by Germany and the most passionate about football among Scoglio`s four children, remembers him.
Tobias, how many times have you re-watched the footage from the evening your father died live on air?
“Countless times. In the beginning, it was incredibly painful. For the first two or three years, it felt like a horror movie. But with time, I`ve come to terms with it. The images aren`t perfectly clear; it almost looks like my dad is just falling asleep. I asked a friend to have them removed from the internet, but he explained that someone would just upload them again, making it a pointless battle.”
Scoglio traveled extensively during his coaching career. What kind of relationship did you manage to build with him?
“Among all my siblings, I was always the most dedicated football fan. I have two sisters who don`t follow the sport and a brother interested in tennis, while I would travel 850 kilometers from Kaiserslautern, where I lived, to Genoa. Dad would call me before agreeing to a deal with Genoa (he had three stints as coach for the Rossoblù), telling me, `Hold on tight, I have a surprise for you…` And the biggest surprise was always the Grifone`s (Genoa`s) bench.”
When the relationship between Scoglio and Genoa ended, “The Professor” always suffered immensely…
“He would become anguished, distressed, utterly devastated. He approached coaching with total dedication, unlike others; he didn`t work for money but for passion. So much so that in 2001, he left a significant portion of his salary to the club – for Genoa. With other teams, he rightly took his full pay.”
A visceral passion, that for the Rossoblù (Genoa).
“I recall an incident before a derby in April 2001. We were together in a hotel room the night before the match. I woke up at 4 AM to get some water and found Dad on the bed with about twenty sheets of paper and tactical boards, studying the lineup. He didn`t even acknowledge me, just muttered, `Wait, quiet, quiet, I don`t know whether to play Giacchetta or Malagò further forward. Or maybe Ruotolo…` That was Franco Scoglio. That`s why I decided to name my son Francesco Scoglio Jr.”
And indeed, to save Genoa in Serie B, Scoglio gave up coaching Tunisia at the World Cup.
“It was January; the national team had already qualified and was playing excellent football. The Grifone (Genoa) was struggling badly, second to last. The team played in Salerno with Onofri on the bench, but my dad chose the lineup from afar. A few days later, he returned to Genoa. The city held a stronger appeal for him, even more than a World Cup. In his mind, he had grand plans: he was convinced he would save Genoa and then leave for Japan and Korea. However, the Tunisian officials were offended and wouldn`t accept the dual role. Nevertheless, he magnificently saved Genoa, even winning a derby. If he had started the season from the beginning, they would have been promoted to Serie A.”
Juventus sought Scoglio, but nothing came of it. Why?
“Not just Juve, but also Maradona`s Napoli. Everyone courted my father. However, Montezemolo replaced Boniperti at Juventus and decided to hire Maifredi. Meanwhile, at Napoli, Moggi, after some consideration, chose to keep Bigon. In that season, incidentally, Spinelli offered my dad to stay, but unfortunately, he refused, and the following year Genoa went to Europe with Bagnoli. It was the biggest mistake of his career; he would never have admitted it publicly, but he did at home.”
Among your father`s many quotes that became legendary, which is your favorite?
“Without a doubt, `I don`t write poetry, I go vertical.` It perfectly aligns with my thoughts concerning my son Francesco, who wants to become a footballer. I try to give him the same advice I believe his grandfather, a legend to him, would offer. But the one about the `21 ways to take a corner kick` isn`t bad either…”
Would Genoa today need a Franco Scoglio on the bench?
“I`m certain my father would do better than Vieira. He was a man confident in his abilities. It`s true that Genoa sold players without replacing them, which makes it difficult for a coach; in fact, I myself thought the team looked stronger on paper. But Scoglio would save Genoa without a problem.”
