Farioli: Ancelotti ‘underrated’, his game kept ‘evolving with football’ | OneFootball

Ajax boss Francesco Farioli prides himself on being one of the youngest managers coaching in a European first division and puts Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti among his references, suggesting the latter is ‘underrated’ for how he’s often described.

At the age of 35, Farioli has already managed sides in the Süper Lig and Ligue 1, before moving to the Eredivisie outfit last summer.

OGC Nice head coach Francesco Farioli gestures during the French L1 football match between FC Nantes and OGC Nice at La Beaujoire stadium in Nantes, western France on December 2, 2023. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP) (Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)

As one of the most brilliant young managers on the international scene, he admitted to being inspired by how the game of the Real Madrid coach has been ‘evolving’ throughout the seasons, pointing out that his job goes much beyond simply ‘managing players’, as it is often referred to.

Farioli praises ‘underrated’ Ancelotti and proud of Ajax ‘DNA’

“Guardiola is the master of modern football. And if we’re talking about a reference, of course, he is,” Farioli told AS in an interview.

“He has a big role, a big impact on me and on all the coaches in the world. He is the most important reference.

“But you talk about Ancelotti, and I think he’s a bit underrated. Most of the time, we believe and hear that their main job is managing players.

“But let me tell you that the football he played at Milan or Madrid at the beginning of his career and what he tries to apply today are not the same thing.

“They are not the same because I think his game is evolving with football. It’s evolving based on the players he’s introducing.

“And I think sometimes he’s very humble and always gives all the credit to the players for what they’ve achieved, but in the end, you can’t have as much success without personal value, and we have to give him great recognition for what he’s done and what he will do in the future. He still has a lot to give to the world of football.”

BACKA TOPOLA, SERBIA – AUGUST 01: Head coach Francesco Farioli of Ajax reacts during the UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round 2nd leg match between FK Vojvodina and FC Ajax at TSC Arena on August 01, 2024 in Backa Topola, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

When asked about his playing style, Farioli claimed that he is now the coach of one of the only two clubs that boast a ‘DNA’ which he believes to be strictly connected to ‘Cruyff’s legacy’.

“This way of playing now has more followers, but historically there are only two clubs that have maintained this type of DNA: one is Barça, and the other is Ajax,” the coach added.

“Cruyff’s legacy is there. That’s where the greatest emphasis was placed, and it’s a great privilege for me to have the opportunity to work at a club with this history, this tradition, and this type of DNA.”

Farioli won eight of his first 11 league games in charge of Ajax, also picking up nine Europa League victories in 10 matches so far, as his side’s campaign started in the preliminary rounds.