Cinzia Zanotti explains her no to Brescia and thanks Ettore Messina

Intervening at the microphones of Gazzetta dello Sport, GEAS Basket coach Cinzia Zanotti,, explained her rejection to the proposal of Mauro Ferrari, CEO of Germani Brescia, hunting for a coach after the departure of Peppe Poeta, who returned to Olimpia Milano.

“I was surprised, but flattered – she began -I thought about it and Mauro Ferrari waited for me, the proposal was important, but I had to be sure. I immediately understood that it was an event that could change something, at least open an exchange, a communication between men’s and women’s basketball. Basketball is one. Sure, physicality, athleticism and speed are different, but that’s what basketball is. I’ve never been into coaching men, as if it was necessarily an end point. I am happy in women” in fact, I think we need to work harder to enhance our movement”.

“However, they are two different worlds: in the men&#8217s I have never worked and for a matter of timing I preferred to decline – added the’former player. If it weighed on me? I received so many messages telling me ‘Go, do it’ in a positive, encouraging way, that it&#8217s almost as if I let down expectations. But I didn&#8217t feel the need to accept just to prove something. I didn&#8217t expect all this attention, but then I realized that a woman leading a top men&#8221s team had never been seen before and that it would be a historic thing”.

“There&#8217s distrust of those who work in the women&#8217s. A coach from the men&#8217s side going into the women&#8217s side is normal, is welcomed naturally. But the opposite journey is more difficult. At first it almost seems like there is mistrust, and that saddens me. Hopefully, this hype will help connect the two worlds: the expertise is the same”.

“What really matters are the many messages of appreciation I have received: overwhelming. At the end of these different days, I am serene: I have been full of energy, stimulation and enthusiasm. Definitely the most beautiful encouragement was from Ettore Messina, his message was of great value” Zanotti concluded.