VULCANO'S STORY

Luciano Vulcano took on media duties ahead of Sunderland's cup tie against Huddersfield and, while there was some chat around team selection, the majority of the presser was dedicated to getting to know Luciano and his career so far.

CAREER IN COACHING

“I spent my career in Italy mostly. I was at Inter Milan, Fiorentina, I spent a good season at AC Milan winning the league. Then I spent the last season in Saudi Arabia, working for Al-Nassr’s team, and it was the first step abroad for me. When this part of my career finished, I felt that I wanted to move to the top end of football in the world. So, trying to come to the Premier League was my goal and Sunderland was the club that appointed me. I’m really happy to be here.”

PLAYING CAREER

“I did play and I really enjoyed playing, but it was a really low level. Sometimes I laugh a bit with the players and I tell them that I have football in my mind but not in my feet!”

GETTING INTO COACHING

“I started 12 or 13 years ago. I was studying architecture but one day my mind just flipped and I decided I wanted to be a head coach one day. I turned to a sports science degree and after that I did all the UEFA licencing in Italy. I was a little bit good at my job but also a little bit lucky, because you have to be lucky in football, and I met the right person in Stefano Pioli who gave me the chance to be at the highest level. He trusted me a lot and he gave me the chance to show my skills. It was fantastic because I was coaching in the Champions League by his side. Now, thanks to another person and another club, I am here in the Premier League!”

A NEW CHALLENGE

“I felt that for my future I wanted to improve my skills and first of all the language. Everyone thinks that Italian people are not really used to speaking good English, so I wanted to test myself on a big stage like the Premier League with my English. So for me, it is a big pleasure to be here to try to expose my English and also let my English teacher be proud of me. I worked in Fiorentina, they are fantastic people, the city is lovely, the food is amazing, but I felt that for me the next chapter was to be here.”

ADAPTING TO ENGLAND

“It is different. I am really adaptable so it is good and it’s also good for my family and for my son to start a new chapter of his life here and improve his English skills. It will be good for everyone. In Italy I used to live in the north. It’s not as cold as here, but in the winter it did get cold!”

SON’S ENGLISH LESSONS

“He started having lessons in Italy two years ago - he’s just three years old, so really young. Last year he went to an English nursery in Riyadh. More or less, his vocabulary is good enough to start school here.”

ENGLISH FOOD

“The food is good here. I’m literally spending a lot of my time every day here at the training ground so I can speak about their food. It is good here and the players are really lucky. I hope to have more time, maybe during the international break, to go and taste some restaurants nearby.”

SUNDERLAND HISTORY

“I followed the time when Borini was here because in Italy it is a bit strange when a player moves abroad, because we are really bonded with our country and this type of football. So, when Borini was here I used to see the highlights, when he scored and doing his celebration! It was good. I have followed the Premier League for many years because I really like the type of football, the intensity. It was really a goal for me to come here and work in this league. Being part of this Sunderland family is really an honour.”

BACK IN EUROPE

“I think moving from Italy to Saudi Arabia was a good challenge, a good first step to move abroad. I found it really different. Moving here, back to Europe, was less of a shock. There is for sure a different culture, a different style of play, different management, but I am comfortable with it. I came here because I want to put myself out of my comfort zone. I am really happy to live outside my comfort zone and I am happy.”

WORKING WITH BARCHERINI

“It’s really funny because sometimes we mix the two languages! We’ll start a phrase in Italian and finish it in English! I think his Italian is better than my English so I have to improve, but I am having weekly lessons. I am trying to improve and be at the highest level I can.”

BIGGEST STRENGTHS

“We’ll have to ask the players, it is always difficult to speak about yourself! I think I am adaptable, highly demanding in myself, and I have a really good connection with Regis who is really highly demanding of himself and with the people that surround him, he is really detailed and it is a pleasure to work by his side. I love to challenge myself in my job and I am ready to challenge the people that surround me. In this chapter of my life, I want to help and I want to grow.”

HEAD COACH ONE DAY?

“For sure, it is on my agenda for the future. I had so many dreams of managing when I was younger. I think I have gone over my expectations so why not dream bigger?”