Vincenzo Montella: Quietly Becoming a Top Manager

Since trading in his pilot wings for a seat in the control tower, Vincenzo Montella has continued his successful career in football, this time on the sidelines.

In his first real coaching gig, Montella has led Serie A club Catania to the brink of Europe. Currently in 8th place - the highest position the club has ever achieved in the league - the Sicilian club is poised to make a serious run at a Europa League spot.

L'Aeroplanino did not simply land in this position, but rather gained prior management experience with AS Roma, the club he scored so many precious goals for. After a successful stint as the head of the organization's youth club, he was promoted to first-team manager midway through the 2010-11 campaign, following the resignation of Claudio Ranieri. Charged with the task of avoiding further Ranieri-level destruction, Montella gradually instilled confidence back in the side, guiding them to a Europa League berth. Unfortunately for the Little Airplaner, a sweeping American takeover of the club essentially shut the door on his coaching career in Rome. More frustrating for Montella were the credentials of his replacement, Luis Enrique; a coach just as untested as himself.

After being dropped by the Capital Club, Montella quietly landed in Sicily with Catania. As the year has progressed, the Rossazzurri have grown to a new level. No longer are they part of the lower-tier contingent of the Serie A, but a formidable opponent for even top sides - just ask Inter, Roma and Lazio. Montella's brave tactics - often incorporating a 3-5-2 - and gutsy player selections - sitting Maxi Lopez (who ultimately left the club) in favor workhorse Gonzalo Bergessio - has gained wild praise amongst Serie A pundits because of the team's success. Corriere dello Sport recently claimed Catania to be the most in-form side in Serie A, unbeaten in their last six matches, with only one loss in nine. Catania Director Pietro Lo Monaco even went so far to say Montella has the DNA of a great coach.

With a semi-difficult schedule in the last quarter of the year, the Rossazzurri have their work cut out for them, but with gritty Top Gun performances inspired by their young coach, the club has reason to be excited.

I'll leave you with the most legendary night in any footballers career:

That's the most goals scored by a single player in any derby ever. It had to be you Montella! Hats off to a great former goal scorer on his was to becoming a top manager.


Photo Credit:
forzaitalianfootball.com

Trademark Celebratory Gestures: Cool or Tool?

Week in and week out, we see goals warranting raucus celebration from the players who score them. Certain stars have a preferred celebratory gesture they like to display to the world after netting. We're here to decide if these gestures are cool or tool. I'll judge and you can feel free to judge:

1. Andrei Arshavin Arsenal

VERDICT: TOOL

Shooshing People: Definitely tool, since most of the time all we want is for Arshavin to shut up and lean back so the other players on the bench can watch the first-team play.

2. Nani Manchester United

VERDICT: COOL

Flying: Nani's acrobatic goal celebration is definitely cool. Not only does he do the patented back flips which other stars are prone to, he also adds a little Portuguese flavor and twists in mid-air. You've got to be cool to do that.

3. Alessandro Del Piero Juventus

VERDICT: COOL

The Tongue (and Scream): Ale Del Piero's forceful tongue scream is cool for a few reasons: 1) he's the man 2) he scores great goals and 3) he deserves to wile out in a feverish manner because he's so dedicated to his side. Everytime the little captain scores, it's like his whole being explodes out of his mouth. Props to passion.

4. Kaka Real Madrid

....

Being Religious: Are you religious? If yes: cool. Are you not? If no: tool. I'm not very religious...so yeah.

5. Luca Toni Whereabouts Unknown

VERDICT: TOOL

The I'm Fu*king Crazy Ear Thing: Though Luca Toni nearly crazy eared Roma to the Scudetto a few years back, his hysterically seemingly confused crazy ear celebration is tool. It's very strange and erratic, for such a clinical stirker on his day.

6. Miroslav Klose Lazio

VERDICT: COOL

Fist Pump (Jump Optional): German hitman Miroslav Klose has had a consistently cool celebratory gesture throughout his illustrious goal-scoring career. What's better than a strong fist pump toward your fans? Nothing when you score like a madman! Even though he is a Lazio man, Klose gets the nod: cool.

7. Francesco Totti AS Roma

VERDICT: COOL

Thumb In Mouth: What did you think I was going to say? As a Romanista, I love seeing this celebration. Especially when Totti hits a penalty and stands at the spot with thumb in mouth and one finger in the air (pictured above). It's both humilating for the goalkeeper and delightful in nature, since it's for his babies!

8. Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid

VERDICT: TOOL

Grabbing Gods Balls or Boobs(?): It's Ronaldo, so it's tool - plain and simple. I found this celebration to be amongst the strangest out there. Granted, I haven't seen him do it in a while, it is still totally weird and deserving of a tool status.

9. Peter Crouch Stoke City

VERDICT: COOL

The Robot: Even though Crouchie doesn't show off his smooth moves after netting anymore, this was definitely a cool celebration. Who does that? Someone who's confident, buries a goal, and is a cool dude. Part of the attraction also comes from seeing a tall man dance a hilarious dance.

10. Yuto Nagatoma Inter Milan

VERDICT: COOL

Bowing Like a Gentleman: Nagatoma does not really score too much, but upon this goal, he shared a gentlemanly Japanese bow with colleague Javier Zanetti. I thoroughly enjoyed it, thus deeming it cool.

11. Alexandre Pato AC Milan

VERDICT: TOOL

Making a Heart <3: Pato, Pato, Pato...Just stop. This is the most annoying celebration in the world and I know you are better than it! Stop the tool!

12. Vincenzo Montella

VERDICT: COOL

The Airplane: Montella's trademark celebration was aeronautically sensational. Every time the little airplaner scored, he would lift off toward the sideline in celebration. It was emphatic. Bravo, Aeroplanino.

13. Ronaldo 

VERDICT: ULTIMATE COOL

Finger Wag: Brazilian legend Ronaldo's patented Finger Wag celebration was exceptional. It was as if the jovial Brazilian was shaking his hand saying "you thought I wouldn't score?? Ha ha!" This air of confidence is the definition of cool.

14. Giampaolo Pazzini Inter Milan

VERDICT: COOL

Two Fingers To Eyes: Pazzini comes off as the ultimate bro (aka tool), but his goal-scoring prowess and resulting celebration, I have to admit, is cool. He's a great finisher when on form and the two fingers to the eyes to me says "keep your eyes on me b*tches" or "cry tears babies." I like it since he can back it up so well.

15. Tim Cahill Everton

VERDICT: COOL

Corner Flag Destruction: Nothing is more exceptional for a striker of smaller stature than being able to score a majority of your goals with your head. Cahill's explosiveness and fighting nature in the box erupts at the corner flag upon scoring when he dukes it out with the inanimate object. The passion is clear and also the fact that you wouldn't want to mess with Cahill evidently results in a verdict of cool.

16. Robbie Keane LA Galaxy

VERDICT: TOOL

Somersault Cowboy: Robbie Keane's excitable somersault then gun celebration scares me. I find it weird and would run if I saw someone spinning towards me in such a manner. You're not a karate master gun-slinger or anything...just a great scorer. There's got to be something different he could do right?

17. Henrik Larsson 

VERDICT: COOL

The" O" Face (Tongue Optional): Larsson's famous "O" face will go down in history as a cool celebration. The man was simply a scorer. He scored on various different teams and popped his "O" towards the sideline without fail. Being such a reliable scorer makes Larsson's famed celebration worthy of this rating.

Mixed Feelings

Mario Balotelli Manchester City

VERDICT: COOL/TOOL

Not Celebrating: Part of me hails the contrarian actions of Balotelli following one of his usually well-taken goals as cool, but the other part believes only a tool wouldn't celebrate such a fantastic moment with and for his teammates and fans. The Balotelli enigma continues.

Alan Shearer

VERDICT: COOL/DORKY

Hand to the Sun: Shearer's famed raised hand (or pointed finger) had its moments. On one hand, it's cool, since ol' Alan was a great scorer and hero to his side in his own right. On the other hand, it's kind of dorky...it reminds me of watching your dad celebrate something. Dad did it! I guess Shearer was young once, but I only remember him old. Sorry older fans! Much respect though.  

Fabio Borini AS Roma

VERDICT: UNDECIDED

Hand Bite: The verdict is not out yet on the young, excitable Italian. His youthful vigor and goal-scoring tally is cool, but, we are left wondering what the hell he is thinking by this celebration. "Bite your hand, opposing team!" New taunt? What will these kids think of next?

Ronaldinho Flamengo

VERDICT: COOL/DORKY

The Rockstar or Call Me Ladies: Ronaldinho gets a cool and dorky nod from me because his celebration can be interpreted differently. The goofy rockstar gesture with his delightful brilliant smile is definitely dorky (that's so 90s dude). But on the other hand, Ronaldinho, the known clubber and Brazilian party-man extraordinaire, could be saying "I scored ladies....call me tonight!" That's cool I guess.

Pablo Daniel Osvaldo AS Roma

VERDICT: COOL/TOOL

Machine Gunning: Osvaldo's Machine Gunning goal celebration falls on either side of the spectrum. On one hand, it's pretty cool if you're a Roma fan, since we yearn for a consistent scorer (both guns blazing or not). On the other, he's kind of a tool. What is this a Martin Scorsese film? Keep gunning buddy.

Mirko Vucinic Outer Space

VERDICT: SPEECHLESS

Pants Off-Put On Head: I'm not entirely sure how to interpret this. Though he only does this for Montenegro, his home country, what gives? Did he lose a bet? Five times? Oh Mirko.

Well, we have a full docket here, folks. Please post your ratings in the comments sections so I can see how far off base I am!

Disclaimer: I'm sure I missed some classic trademark celebrations. So, rather than bemoaning my ignorance, why not suggest some celebratory gestures to the rest of the readers?


Note: Photos are not mine! 

Mexellent!

AS Roma got back on track yesterday with a 1-0 over Bologna. Vincenzo Montella, the club's interim coach, felt much relief as his side held a lead for the first time in a long time. To Montella's credit, he made very sensible substitutions throughout and kept to his 4-3-2-1 game plan. Bravo, Aeroplanino.

In addition (or subtraction), Philippe Mexes of lost his front tooth...AGAIN.

Fly Higher Aeroplanino!

Vincenzo Montella is the new coach of AS Roma. Taking over for Claudio Ranieri, who tendered his resignation yesterday, Montella is charged with finishing the season strongly. To me, this means a 4th place finish. Realistically, Roma will not make a title push. Thus, they must do anything they can to make the Champions League under Montella's tutelage.

At age 36, L'Aeroplanino becomes one of the youngest coaches in Europe. I'm wondering if the directors considered a player-manager situation?! If not, we can still hope Montella will celebrate down the sidelines in his traditional airplane style when goals are scored.

Resignation Tendered

Immediately following AS Roma's shock loss to Genoa - one which saw the Giallorossi throw away a 3 goal lead - coach Claudio Ranieri tendered his resignation. As a Roma fan, I am relieved.

Last season, Ranieri picked up the pieces of Roma and rolled the dice successfully. He made countless bold moves during the campaign - substituting Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi at halftime in the Derby della Capitale (which is the boldest of moves in any Romanista's eyes) - which nearly won the capital club the Scudetto. But those same ballsy decisions have been the wrong ones this season. Everything decreed by the Tinkerman has worked against the squad and today's game was a prime and final example. Though his time in the capital was short and tumultuous, he must be thanked for his service and lauded for stepping aside when appropriate. True integrity and class.

Now to the future: it looks like Vincenzo Montella, il Aeroplanino and current coach of Roma's youth academy, will take the reins for the rest of the season. I am both excited and frightened by this. Montella is a smart man and has been doing good for Roma's youth team, but might run into some resistance when managing players who were very recently peers. Will egos get in the way? This is Rome...so yes. We can only hope that Montella can cope and see this season to a successful end.

That information aside, will we see Carlo Ancelotti take over at Roma in the summer? The wily tactician has widely stated his desire to coach his former club, where he played from 1979 - 1987. The opportunity to build a trophy winning side is imminent, since new owners will be in control soon. Add to that a world class gaffer with a winning mentality...this could mean big things, Romanisti.

Let's keep our chins up.