In the final press conference before his debut match as Belgian head coach, Domenico Tedesco was keen to reiterate that he wants to bring success to the Red Devils. As reported by Het Nieuwsblad, the young head coach did not want to damper expectations about implementing his style of coaching. The former Schalke and RB Leipzig man said ‘I ask for understanding, but no patience. After all, I am ambitious’.
Tedesco replaced Roberto Martinez, who decided to step down as head coach of the Belgian national team following a poor World Cup campaign in Qatar. The new man revealed during the press conference that he has still not had much time to talk to all of his players, asking for understanding that it will take time for him to fully implement his vision for how the national team will play. However, as has always been the case with Tedesco, he wants to bring success from day one.
Multiple players have already commented that the style will reflect a high-pressing attacking intensive element, which the likes of Wout Faes have claimed will suit him. Whether Tedesco goes with Faes will be discovered in the game against Sweden tonight. When asked about playing a back four or a back three, the new head coach did not give much away.
‘Many of our central defenders play in a four-man defence. Sebastian Bornauw at Wolfsburg, Arthur Theate at Rennes, Faes at Leicester, Vertonghen at Anderlecht,… They all play in a four-man defence at their clubs. Which doesn’t mean I’m going to play with four in the back. Well, we can talk about systems here, but it’s only about one thing and that’s winning’.
Martinez was known for sticking with the back three for the majority of his time with the Red Devils. All eyes will certainly be on the first XI of the new era to see which direction Tedesco is wanting to take the team.
