Francesco Farioli has reportedly ‘accepted’ a move to Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk after Scottish Premiership Celtic opted for Brendan Rodgers instead.
Experience isn’t everything, of course. But the prospect of Celtic hiring a little-known 34-year-old as a replacement for the hugely-experienced Ange Postecoglou would almost certainly have led to an inevitable plague eyebrow-raising and hand-wringing.
Francesco Farioli is one of Europe’s most exciting young coaches. His Alanyaspor averaged the highest possession figures in the whole of the Turkish Super Lig, while the Italian has spoken openly about the influence of Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola and Marcelo Bielsa on his proactive, high-octane style.
But was Farioli – two years younger than Joe Hart – really ready to cope with the unforgiving glare of the Glasgow goldfish bowl? This is a question that will remain unanswered; Farioli closing in on a move to Shakhtar Donetsk after holding talks with the Celtic chiefs a few weeks ago (Daily Record).
Francesco Farioli held Celtic discussions
“Francesco Farioli has accepted Shakhtar’s terms. He is ready to lead the team,” Ukrainian reporter Igor Burbas writes on his Telegram channel.
“The Italian’s family is opposing (the move). They are afraid to let him go to the country in a state of war. Therefore, the stage of persuading him and making guarantees over security is now underway.
“If it does not work, then there will be other candidates. The most realistic among them is Patrick van Leeuwen. With him, too, possible (arrival) has already been pre-arranged.”
Farioli, despite his tender age, has actually been working in coaching since all the way back in 2009. The former Fatih Karagumruk coach honed his talents under now-Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto de Zerbi at Sassuolo and even spent two years in Qatar between 2015 and 2017.
Shakhtar Donetsk, reigning champions of Ukraine, represents comfortably the biggest, most high-pressure challenge of Farioli’s career so far. Impress, and perhaps Celtic will come calling again when Brendan Rodgers’ second spell at Parkhead comes to an end.
Farioli, interestingly, met with Celtic’s Old Firm rivals Rangers late last year too.
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