Stramaccioni: I am the proof that dreams can become reality

Oct 27, 2012 2:15:00 PM

The Nerazzurri boss says he was devastated after an injury brought a premature end to his playing career, but is thrilled with his new life on the other side of the white line

Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni did not have the best of luck as a player at Bologna, but the 36-year-old believes he is living proof that dreams can become reality despite the biggest of setbacks.

The Italian's playing career was cut short by a serious knee injury before he had the opportunity to play professional first team football and Stramaccioni says he had to work his way up from the bottom as a coach.

"After a bad injury when I was at Bologna, I had a crisis and I had to talk to my agent about what I could do," he told Corriere della Sera.

"I started from scratch, and I'm the proof that dreams can become reality. If I can get to the top, anyone can do it."

After learning his craft in youth coaching Stramaccioni has plenty of experience in dealing with younger players, but says he cannot stress enough how big the difference is between youth and first team football.

"I always say that the youth and the first team are two completely different worlds," he continued.

"We need a bridge between the youth and the first team and unless you are like [Mario] Balotelli or [Davide] Santon, the jump is complicated. A loan to Serie B to get first team football is often the only solution."

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