Twenty years ago, Italian football lost one of its most idiosyncratic and passionately devoted figures: Franco Scoglio. Known affectionately as `The Professor,` Scoglio was a coaching savant whose commitment to Genoa CFC was legendary, defining his career and ultimately, his final moments. His son, Tobias, recently offered a poignant reflection on his father`s life, painting a vivid portrait of a man who saw football not just as a game, but as an all-consuming vocation.
A Prophetic Farewell on Live Television
The story of Franco Scoglio`s passing is as dramatic and unique as the man himself. On October 3rd, 2005, during a live television debate with Genoa`s then-president Enrico Preziosi, Scoglio suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. He had famously, almost prophetically, declared years earlier, “I will die talking about Genoa.” And so it was. A final, animated discussion about the club he adored, a sudden gesture, and then silence. It was a departure that cemented his legend, a man who truly gave his heart, quite literally, to the Rossoblù.
Tobias Scoglio admits to having watched the footage countless times. Initially, it felt like a “horror movie,” but over time, understanding replaced anguish. The images, he explains, aren`t perfectly clear, making it seem as if his father merely drifted off to sleep. A request to remove the video from the internet was met with the pragmatic understanding that it would be a futile battle. His father’s final public act, talking about Genoa, would remain a poignant, if heartbreaking, testament to his unwavering passion.
“I Don`t Make Poetry, I Verticalize”: The Professor`s Philosophy
Franco Scoglio was not one for euphemisms or polite platitudes. His vocabulary was as unique as his coaching methods, shaping a lexicon that became part of Italian football folklore. He once famously quipped:
“I don`t make poetry, I verticalize.”
This simple yet profound statement encapsulated his direct, results-oriented approach to the beautiful game. He was a man who spoke his mind, often provocatively, never shying away from expressing his intense dislike for local rivals Sampdoria, or even his peculiar joy in defeat: “What bliss when I lose.” Such pronouncements weren`t mere showmanship; they were extensions of a personality entirely dedicated to his craft and his teams.
Genoa: A Love Affair Beyond Logic
While Scoglio’s coaching career took him to various clubs, his heart consistently returned to Genoa. Tobias recalls his father`s excited calls before each of his three stints with the Rossoblù, promising “a big surprise” – a surprise that always turned out to be the Genoa bench. For Scoglio, leading Genoa was not just a job; it was a profound personal mission.
This devotion often came at a significant personal and professional cost. In 2001, he famously walked away from a substantial portion of his salary to ease the club`s financial burden, a gesture Tobias notes he would only make for Genoa. “With other teams, he rightly took his money,” Tobias recounted, highlighting the distinct difference in his father`s commitment.
His dedication was all-encompassing. Tobias vividly remembers waking at 4 AM before a Derby della Lanterna in April 2001, to find his father poring over tactical sheets, completely absorbed in deciding between Giacchetta or Malagò, or perhaps Ruotolo. This obsessive preparation underscores the depth of his passion, a trait so impactful that Tobias named his own son, Francesco Scoglio Jr., in tribute to his legendary grandfather.
Rejecting Giants for a Rossoblù Heartbeat
Perhaps the most telling anecdotes of Scoglio`s unwavering loyalty involve the prestigious opportunities he turned down. The article reveals that both Juventus and Diego Maradona`s Napoli pursued him. Yet, through twists of fate and the decisions of figures like Montezemolo and Moggi, these moves never materialized. While publicly he might never admit it, Tobias reveals that his father privately considered declining Spinelli`s offer to stay at Genoa – leading to Bagnoli`s successful tenure the following year – as the biggest mistake of his career.
However, the pinnacle of his sacrificial devotion came in 2001 when he abandoned the managerial post of the Tunisian national team, which had already qualified for the World Cup in Japan and Korea. Why? To save Genoa from relegation in Serie B. The Grifone was floundering, second-to-last, and Scoglio answered the call. Though he initially harbored hopes of managing both, the Tunisian federation understandably refused the dual role. Scoglio stayed, successfully securing Genoa`s safety and even winning a crucial derby. Tobias firmly believes that had his father started the season, Genoa would have been promoted to Serie A.
The Enduring Question: Does Genoa Need Another Professor?
Asked if the current Genoa team could benefit from a “Franco Scoglio” on the bench, Tobias`s answer is unequivocal: “I am sure my father would do better than Vieira.” He paints a picture of his father as a man utterly confident in his abilities, capable of navigating challenging situations, even when the squad might seem weaker on paper. Scoglio, he asserts, “would save Genoa calmly.”
Franco Scoglio`s life was a testament to passion, integrity, and an unshakeable bond with a single football club. He was a maverick, a tactician, and a character whose legend continues to inspire. Twenty years on, his voice, his philosophies, and his profound connection to Genoa CFC echo through the annals of Italian football history, a reminder that some legacies are written not just in victories, but in the unwavering beat of a passionate heart.
Murray Blackwood