Vincenzo Italiano is thriving in his first managerial role outside of Italy, guiding Beşiktaş to a strong start that features a 77% win rate across their opening 13 matches. Speaking about his departure from Italian football and his transition to the Turkish Süper Lig, Italiano noted the intense atmosphere and high standard of competition, drawing comparisons to historic eras of European football.
The Italian tactician took charge of the Istanbul club following a summer that saw him linked with several Serie A posts, including Bologna, Napoli, and Milan.
The Transition to Beşiktaş and Early Success
In the opening months of the campaign, Italiano has posted a points average of 2.31 per match alongside a 77% victory rate, placing him among the top-performing managers across European leagues by those metrics. The manager admitted that the early results exceeded initial expectations, particularly given the youthful composition of the squad during summer training camps and delayed arrivals due to international commitments.
Beşiktaş navigated an early test in the UEFA Europa League preliminary rounds by defeating Midtjylland in both legs before rounding out their roster with key additions, including striker Dušan Vlahović. Italiano acknowledged that the quick adaptation of the squad has allowed the team to implement a dynamic style of play that resonates with the club’s supporters.
Atmosphere and Comparison to Italian Football
Describing the matchday experience in Turkey, Italiano pointed to the passionate crowds inside modern, covered stadiums as a primary highlight of his time abroad. He likened the weekly anticipation and fervent support to Italian football during the 1980s and 1990s, noting that intense environments extend well beyond traditional powerhouse clubs to matches against newly promoted sides.
Supporters have embraced the manager by chanting Toto Cutugno’s classic track “L’Italiano” at home fixtures, an experience Italiano described as deeply emotional after hearing over 43,000 spectators vocalize his name. While acknowledging that the Süper Lig may sit outside Europe’s five premier domestic competitions, he emphasized its competitive level and continuous influx of quality players and foreign managers.
Reflecting on Summer Speculation and Serie A Links
Before committing to Beşiktaş, Italiano’s future was the subject of widespread speculation in Italian media, with discussions involving Napoli and Milan, as well as an anticipated exit from Bologna. Beşiktaş president Serdar Adali confirmed that negotiations had advanced between Italiano and Aurelio De Laurentiis’s club before administrative hurdles opened the door for the Turkish side to step in.
Despite leaving Serie A, Italiano remains attached to Italian football and retains a long-term ambition to eventually secure a league title in his homeland. For now, however, the manager remains focused on maintaining Beşiktaş’s momentum as the season progresses into its crucial winter fixtures.
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