November 21st 2010...September 29th 2013

The start of an incredible journey.

Looking back it was the beginning of the modern Hellas Verona. Yet at the time not even the most optimistic Scaligeri supporter couldn't have predicted where we'd be less than three years later. November 21st was our game away to SPAL, the team of Ferrara. We were 17th out of 18 teams in Serie C1. We'd lost to rivals Salernitana 2-1 and coach Beppe Giannini had been sacked. The fans were angry, the team poor. Yet another season in the lower divisions seemed likely. Even a repeat of the relegation battle to avoid C2 of 2007-08 wasn't so unrealistic.

President Martinelli

President Martinelli needed a new coach. After his poor choices in Remondina (just saying his name sends shivers down my spine, a coach who played for the draw in EVERY.SINGLE.GAME and made his first substitution in the 87th minute) and Giannini, (who after a strong pre-season was clearly out of his depth even in the third division) the pressure was on to deliver with this decision. Luckily for him, Andrea Mandorlini was available after his sacking at CFR Cluj of Romania, despite leading them to the league title the season before. He was just what we needed. A coach who wouldn't take any bullshit and never ever allow anything less than full commitment. He was quickly signed up and got to work.

Mandorlini in his first press-conferance

There was a two week break after the pathetic defeat in Salerno, so tactics were quickly drawn up. Journalists and fans were impressed of Mandorlini's demeanour in training, constantly harassing his players to improve and stopping sessions to discuss tactical points. Martinelli spoke of a new 'professionalism' within the squad, whilst the players themselves spoke of the hard work (Andy Selva "I've never ran so much!")

As mentioned above, Mandorlini's first game in charge of Hellas saw us one place above bottom. The first game of the Mandorlini era was played in terrible conditions on a pitch with more mud than grass. Giuseppe Meloni gave SPAL the lead before Beppe Le Noci equalised with a low header before half-time. That's how it finished in a game where the ball spent much more time in the air than on the floor.

After promotion in Salerno

It's incredible to think that it took the Ravenna born coach six games to get his first win after drawing his first five (SPAL, Pavia, Sorrento, Lumezzane and Pergocrema.) Victory came at home to Paganese, the team who beat us on the first game of the season. 4-0 was unexpected but welcome and helped move us away from the relegation play-out places.

Mandorlini actually only lost three out of 22 league matches, not including the successful play-off campaign that eventually saw us promoted to Serie B after beating Salernitana in the play-off final.
We're in the spotlight at the minute and the world seems to be finding out exactly who we are. But those that have been there through the hard times will never forget those days in Serie C. As I write we currently sit in 7th place, level on points with fifth. I know it's early days but to look back where we were less than three years ago makes you proud to be a Verona fan and proud of Mandorlini after what he's achieved. After the players and Curva had finished applauding each other after the Livorno game there was a quiet for around five seconds, but then a song started..MANDORLINI ALE MANDORLINI ALE MANDORLINI ALE ALE ALE!!!!