Italian Sporting Director Walter Sabatini recently shared fascinating anecdotes from his career in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. Known for his passionate approach to the game, Sabatini reflected on his philosophy, memorable moments, and his greatest regret as a director.
Football Over Everything
Sabatini began by emphasizing his deep love for the sport. “Between a beautiful woman and a team, I choose the team,” he declared. “But it has to be a team to build, not one that’s already complete—something that can create hope. Football doesn’t belong to coaches, sporting directors, or players; it belongs exclusively to the people. Our job is to bring happiness to them. For example, Orsolini’s goal in Venice was pure joy, even for those who know nothing about football.”
Bologna’s Rise and Strength
Sabatini praised Bologna’s current squad and their potential to achieve great things in Serie A. “Can Bologna make it back to the Champions League? Yes, they are strong and deserve it,” he said. He credited their coach for addressing past issues and creating a balanced team. “Italiano has done well; he’s erased old habits and no longer has problems with balance. They have a solid defense and a midfield that can destroy opponents. The real coup was recovering Freuler—he makes everyone around him play better. He’s a player worthy of Juventus or Inter; I still don’t understand why Atalanta let him go.”
On Thiago Motta’s Juventus Struggles
Sabatini also commented on Thiago Motta’s challenges at Juventus after his success at Bologna. “At Bologna, he had players who were fully committed to the project in a family-like environment. The moment he encountered dissenting voices, everything fell apart,” Sabatini explained. “A coach doesn’t need to be liked by players but must know how to communicate with them—and not just through orders.”
The Rabiot Regret
When asked about the player he wished he could have signed, Sabatini didn’t hesitate: “The only real big regret I have is not signing Rabiot, and it’s all his mother’s fault—Veronique.” He recounted the situation in detail: “The year before, PSG had given me over €30 million for Marquinhos, so I couldn’t take Rabiot for free. When Veronique found out, she went crazy. She hated PSG but probably also wanted the compensation money on top of her €3 million commission.”
Sabatini shared a humorous yet revealing anecdote about Frederic Massara, who was tasked with translating during negotiations with Veronique Rabiot: “I remember Massara translating but being too embarrassed to relay all the insults I directed at her.”