Totò Di Natale has looked back to Empoli’s rise at the start of the century as an example for today’s Serie A coaches, arguing that Silvio Baldini’s faith in young players was built on conviction rather than caution.
Empoli’s young foundation
Di Natale was coached by Baldini in Tuscany in the early 2000s, when Empoli chose to trust a group of developing players. He recalled Baldini speaking with president Fabrizio Corsi about backing the club’s own youngsters, convinced that the side could achieve important results and return to Serie A.
The former Italy forward said that decision shaped a side containing players such as himself, Massimo Maccarone, Francesco Tavano and Tommaso Rocchi. At the time, they were still making their way in the game rather than established names.
- Empoli finished fifth in Serie B in their first season under that youthful project.
- The club then won promotion to Serie A.
- In the following 2002-03 campaign, Empoli preserved their top-flight status.
Di Natale’s call for courage
Di Natale believes the story should carry weight for the current Italian game. What may now appear an obvious route, he said, required bravery from both the Empoli board and Baldini when the choices were being made.
He urged present-day Serie A managers to show a similar willingness to hand responsibility to younger footballers, rather than treating their development as a risk to be avoided.
Di Natale’s own career underlines the value of that early opportunity. He went on to make 42 appearances for Italy and score 11 international goals, while becoming Serie A’s leading scorer twice with Udinese: he struck 29 league goals in 2010 and 28 in 2011.
Baldini’s influence on young players
Baldini, now Italy Under-21 coach, was described by Di Natale as a coach with a deep understanding of football and an unusual ability to connect with young players. In Di Natale’s view, Baldini knows how to make them enjoy the game, which he considers central to football itself.
His assessment was emphatic: Baldini is, he said, “the Guardiola of young players.”
