Bigon: “Managing that Naples, with all Maradona’s problems, was not easy”
To Gazzetta: «Juliano said I was an anonymous coach, consider it a compliment. But the Napoli of Sivori Altafini and Zoff were stronger ».
1989 Historical archive Image Sport / Naples / Alberto Bigon / photo Aic / Image Sport
La Gazzetta interviews Albertino Bigon, coach of Napoli’s second Scudetto and player of AC Milan’s tenth Scudetto.
The other coaching championship. In the Naples of Maradona and Alemao’s coin.
“One moment. He would have won it anyway, with a point of advantage, even without Bergamo’s victory against Atalanta, given how it then went to Verona for Milan. We didn’t steal anything. Back then there were rules that we could not agree with, but since there were we had to respect them ».
Was it your strongest Napoli?
“No, I do not think so. Even if Diego Maradona was there. The strongest was that of 1967-68, with Petisso Pesaola as coach. An amazing team. I was part of that squad, I had been bought by Padova, I had played some games, tournaments, cups and friendlies. But not even a minute in the league. It was impossible. And so in the October transfer market I was sold to Spal, in Serie A. Do you know who those players were? Cané, Juliano, Altafini, Sivori, Barison and Orlando. Not so if I mean. Ah, and Zoff in goal… ».
Pioli has been compared to the Bigon of Napoli tricolor. A manager. Is that so?
“I don’t know, but I’m glad. Totò Juliano once said that I was an anonymous coach, that I didn’t give or take anything away from Napoli. So a simple manager. I’ve always considered it a compliment. Managing those players, especially in the second year, with all of Maradona’s problems, was not easy. However, I have won 50% of the Napoli championships. And of Sion, in Switzerland. Then, it seems to me, they have never conquered any more ».