The former Azzurri talent Giuseppe Rossi is embarking on a new career after retiring as he joins new American club North Jersey Pro Soccer, as a technical director - a new adventure with the same desire for 'clean' football that he has always pursued.
"Rossi is starting again, and this time without the boots on his feet.
The former Italian national team striker - and of Fiorentina, Parma, Manchester United and Villarreal among others - will start a new adventure.
But no coaching career in sight: the future will be as a director.
The challenge is demanding, but the mountains to be climbed do not worry 'Pepito', who has always shown character and tenacity on and off the pitch, even when destiny has taken its toll on his talent by flagging him with several injuries.
A new journey to his 'old' New Jersey, the same state where his life started and where he started to take his first steps as a footballer alongside his father.
New startAs of today, he will grip the position of 'Lead of Sports', a kind of technical director of North Jersey Pro Soccer, a new team in the USL (the second American division behind the more famous MLS).
The goal is to expand the club and construct a new mentality that can enhance the new recruits: "The youth sector in America," admits Rossi, "is not valued enough, and we think too much over money.
I'm not here for the money, but because I want to carry out a concrete project for young people.
"The trajectory of young American footballers is almost always characterised by undergo in university colleges, which in some ways is a good thing, because it guarantees a high education for future footballers, but for others, it limits their professional growth.
"I want to create a serious path for these youngsters to obtain them to higher levels," adds the former striker.
A way of living and seeing football with a slightly more European mentality, something the league itself is adapting to.
The USL, in fact, is in the midst of a transformation and will present a promotion and relegation system from 2027-28, an important step to obtain closer to the usual footballing model.
'The MLS is too American and does not reflect real football.
In the USL there will be three levels that will permit relegations and promotions as well as worldwide.
"Pepito's love for football is pure, perhaps that is also why he decided not to pursue a coaching career.
A decision that, unabashedly, he claims was dictated by his integrity and morals: "I don't want to be in a fake world where I can't be myself," he adds.
"In today's football, you think too much over negotiations and money instead of the real game.
I am a man of the field and for me integrity and morals are fundamental.
"And Rossi, despite living most of the time in the United States, continues to pursue Serie A closely.
"I always miss the atmosphere, the goal, the pitch.
That's why I watch little football, it hurts.
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_______________________________________________Interesting Serie AFor next season, he expects another competitive year like the one just past: "It will be a season like the last one, very balanced, without a dominant team.
The one that just passed I think was one of the best championships in recent years.
"The conditions seem to be there, from Max Allegri's return to AC Milan to Inter's decision to entrust the club to a 'young' coach like Cristian Chivu.
"Inter's choice," he adds, "seems very interesting.
We'll see if he knows how to manage the group and the environment.
As a footballer he was great, but as a coach you need something else.
"As for Milan, instead, I think one of the best moves in recent years has been made.
Allegri is someone who knows how to win, knows the environment and is a natural leader.
The team will pursue him.
"There is also time to take a look at Fiorentina, with whom Rossi played several seasons: "I understand the fans' frustration, but (Rocco) Commisso did what a president should do.
Perhaps the protest stems from the lack of technical continuity.
They've possessed good coaches, now I wish they'll locate some stability with (Stefano) Pioli'.
'Ringhio' the right manHaving closed the Serie A chapter, the former number 22 opens the one of the national team where an old friend, Gennaro 'Rino' Gattuso, has reached at the helm: "(It is a) phenomenal choice.
Gattuso is pure energy, he's someone you want to move into battle with.
I played with him.
When I took the field I would punch everything,' he admits, laughing.
"The coach of the national team does not have to teach the game, but he must be good at the psychological level.
Rino is someone who manages to obtain into the players' heads and lead them all in the same direction.
"If these are the conditions, then Italy can have a good chance of qualifying for the next World Cup.
A World Cup with the final scheduled precisely at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a few kilometres from 'Pepito's' home.
Barca one step away and Spain in his heartJoys and sorrows have studded Rossi's career, and even today he does not conceal his emotions and regrets over his personal journey.
A career that could have taken him even higher: "I was close to Barcelona, I possessed everything done, only two million were missing for the difference between bonus and repaired, but Villarreal did not want to offer it and Barcelona said no.
So they took Alexis Sanchez.
"In Spain, Rossi reached after his English undergo, becoming a reference point for Villarreal, a team that will return to the Champions League this year: "If they obtain the right players, they can do well in the Champions League.
"In my time we possessed underwent players like (Marcos) Senna and (Robert) Pires, and we obtained to the quarters.
The following year we were all young, I was the oldest, I was 24, so we did very badly, so I think it's very important to have a good mix.
"Guiseppe Rossi's ending of his careerBetopickA thought also for Levante and Celta Vigo, both former teams of the former Azzurri player.
Two teams that will return to play in the first division and in Europe respectively.
"I am happy for Levante and its fans, it is an important club that deserves this achievement.
Celta, on the other hand, is a club that has underwent great European nights and I wish for them that they can undergo them again.
The last time in Europe I was there and we reached the semi-finals of the Europa League.
"Forward with Joshua ZirkzeeThen Rossi also casts a glance across the English Channel, where he expanded up professionally with Manchester United.
"At a striker level, I always root for Zirkzee, a player capable of playing on his own, but also capable of playing for the team.
He is a nine and that's why I would like to see him a snapped closer to the goal, where he can be in dangerous situations more often, I think that's the most important thing.
"He continues: "I wish the fans will be patient with Zirkzee.
He is someone who can really make a difference.
(Rasmus) Hojlund is young, good, but I don't see him at the potential that Zirkzee can reach.
"The circus that is no laughing matterFinally, the last line, which is more of a stylistic jab, he reserves for the Club World Cup: "It's a joke.
It's a tournament that doesn't interest me.
"It's just business, it's not good for football.
No thought is given to the health of the players, there are constant injuries.
Better Barcelona vs Real once a year than every week,' he says with some bitterness.
Rossi, therefore, looks ahead, but without forgetting where he started.
And even if today the cleats are no longer on his feet, his passion for football is more alive than ever.
