In a bizarre job-share arrangement, Slovakia’s Italian coach Francesco Calzona currently divides his time between Bratislava and Naples. The situation came about in February, when the former coffee trader agreed to oversee 2022-23 Italian champions Napoli for the rest of the Serie A season, while also preparing the Slovakia national team for Euro 2024.
Considering the national job is Calzona’s first as head coach, the results have been impressive so far. Slovakia only lost twice in ten games in 2023, both by the odd goal to Euro qualifying group favourites Portugal. The other eight matches involved modest opposition, but you can only beat what’s in front of you, as they say.
For both parties, the relationship has been a steep learning curve. Slovakia’s first foreign coach (discounting the Czech Pavel Hapal), Calzona arrived after poor showings at Euro 2020 and qualifying for the subsequent World Cup in Qatar. Placed in pot 5 for
