Stefano Cusin

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Stefano Cusin
Stefano Cusin, during the final match of West Bank Cup in Israel, with Ahli Al-Khaleel.
Personal information
Full name Stefano Cusin
Date of birth (1968-10-28) 28 October 1968 (age 55)
Place of birth Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Comoros
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1980–1985 U.S Annemasse
1985–1987 S.C Toulon
1987–1988 Etoile Carouge
1988–1989 Servette de Genève
1989–1990 Saint-martin
1990–1991 A.S Roanne
Managerial career
1996–2002 Arezzo
2002–2003 Montevarchi
2004–2006 Acada Sports
2007–2008 Congo
2008–2009 Botev Plovdiv
2008–2009 Al Ittihad Tripoli
2010–2011 Al Nassr (assistant)
2011–2012 Al-Nasr (assistant)
2013 Fujairah[1]
2013–2014 Al Jazira (assistant)[2]
2014–2015 Ahli Al-Khaleel
2016 Al-Shaab
2016–2017 Wolverhampton Wanderers (assistant)
2018 Black Leopards
2018–2019 Ermis Aradippou
2019–2020 Ahli Al-Khalil
2020–2021 Shahr Khodro
2021–2023 South Sudan
2023– Comoros
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Stefano Cusin (born 28 October 1968[3]) is a Canadian-Italian football manager and former player who is the manager of South Sudan national team.[4] He gained international prominence as coach in Europe: France, Italy, Bulgaria, England; in Africa: Cameroon, Congo and Libya; In Asia: Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.[5][6][7] He was most recently assistant manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Football League Championship and coach of Shahr Khodro in Persian Gulf Pro League.[8]

He speaks Italian, French, and English.

Early managerial career[edit]

Cusin had, from the beginning, a varied managerial career. In France and Italy he trained a young players' team for seven years, winning many championships. Soon after he moved to Cameroon. In 2003, in fact, the Cameroonian Football Federation of Africa invited him to organize a workshop for coaches and to train the under-17 and under-20 soccer players teams. He believed that in a country known for its big athletic potential, the correct tactical plan could make it more competitive. He first selected players with high athletic qualities, taught them a variety of technical tactics, and then he worked on their winning positive feelings.

Manager career[edit]

Transfers[edit]

Country Club From To Role
Comoros Comoros national team 03 Oct 2023 Manager
South Sudan South Sudan national team 27 Sep 2021 29 Sep 2023 Manager
Iran Shahr Khodro F.C. 14 Jan 2020 18 Sep 2020 Manager
State of Palestine Ahli Al-Khaleel 1 Mar 2019 30 Jun 2019 Manager
Cyprus Ermis Aradippou FC 17 Dec 2018 26 Jan 2019 Manager
South Africa Black Leopards F.C. 4 Jul 2018 Manager
England Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 30 Jul 2016 30 Jun 2017 Assistant
United Arab Emirates Al-Shaab CSC Feb 2016 May 2016 Manager
State of Palestine Ahli Al-Khaleel 15 Jan 2015 8 Oct 2015 Manager
United Arab Emirates Al Jazira Club 28 Oct 2013 30 Jun 2014 A. Manager
United Arab Emirates Fujairah FC May 2013 October 2013 Manager
United Arab Emirates Al Nasr 24 Jan 2011 30 Jun 2012 A. Manager
Saudi Arabia Al Nasr Riyad 1 July 2010 23 January 2011 Assistant
Libya Al Ittihad 20 November 2008 1 July 2009 Manager
Bulgaria Botev 15 May 2008 10 Oct 2008 Manager
Republic of the Congo Congo National Team (Congo) 1 January 2007 15 March 2008 Manager
Cameroon Acada Sports – N.Q.S.A (Cameroon) 10 June 2004 30 November 2006 Manager
Cameroon Team Cameroon (Cameroon) 15 August 2003 15 April 2004 Manager
Italy Montevarchi 1 July 2002 1 July 2003 Manager
Italy Arezzo 1 July 1996 1 July 2002 Manager
As of 6 June 2017.[6][9][10]

Cameroon 2003–2006[edit]

In 2003, in fact, the Cameroonian Football Federation of Africa invited him to organize a workshop for coaches and to train the under-17 and under-20 soccer players teams. He believed that in a country known for its big athletic potential, the correct tactical plan could make it more competitive. He first selected players with high athletic qualities, taught them a variety of technical tactics, and then he worked on their winning positive feelings.

The first experience was a real success and Mr Henry Njalla Quan the chairman of The Njalla Quan Sports Academy (Acada Sports)[11] based in Limbé asked him to keep on working as the Technical Director of Cameroon[12] for the following three years, in joint venture with one of the best Club in Italy for the youth programme, Empoli Football Club.[13][14] His team was one of the different National Teams taking part to the different international competitions, Torneo di Viareggio ( Italy) – the best tournament in the world for the under 21, in 2004 (Team Cameroon) and 2005 (Acada Sports).The 11 February 2004 Team Cameroon start the tournament with a remarkable draw against the strong Fiorentina 0–0, and five days later against Modena 1–1. The 27 February 2005 Acada Sports win against the Bulgarian Team Naftex Burgas 3–1, for the first time one team from Africa won this important tournament and on 29 February 2005 there was a draw against Italian giants Inter Milan, played a very amazing game.

During the Viareggio tournament some players of his team have been contacted by different agents. They then decided to leave the team in order to play in different Italian professional clubs like Maa boumsong (Inter Milan), Matute (Udinese); Bayang bang (Bellinzona, Switzerland), Etogo (Greece) and Mapoka (TP 47 in Finland). During the " Tournoi de l’Amitié 2006" under 21 in Cotonou (Bénin)[15] his team reached the semi-final against Ghana, after having beaten Togo (1–0), Nigeria( 4–0), Ivory Cost(2–1) and drawn with Congo(1–1). He was then contacted by the vice President of the Congo Football Federation and some months later the tournament, where his team played a real good football, the Congo Football Federation proposed him the role of Technical Director for all National teams.

In occasion of the World Cup in Germany 2006, he was filmed by the ARD the Deuch T.V. His Africa story became the little movie "Kick to Goal".[16]

Congo[edit]

In 2007, he signed a two years contract as the National Technical Director of the National Team of Congo.[17][18] He was responsible of all the National Teams (under 17 to Olympique Team); in 2007 the Congo Team won the under 20 Africa Cup with coach Hudansky and play the World Cup under 20 in Canada. In March 2008 he left Congo because the Federation wasn't paying his salary.[19]

Botev Plovdiv[edit]

In 2008, he moved to Bulgaria to train the Bulgaria Premier League Team, Botev Plovdiv for a 6-month contract. The Team played a pretty good football during the camp in Italy against important teams of the Italian Serie A (Catania, Siena,[20] Empoli, Foggia[21][22]). During the game Botev Plovdiv – Catania, played in Assisi on 24 July 2008, he met "the legend of Inter" Walter Zenga, the former head coach of Catania Team.[23] In October he was sacked by the club

Al Ittihad Libya[edit]

In November 2008 he signed a year contract for Al Ittihad Team, Tripoli Libya.[24][25] When he arrived in November, the Team was only fifth classed. Minus 9 from the first .....eight months later: Al Ittihad won the championship,[26] the National Cup and the Libya super Cup...and no defeats at all.In his first official match in the Libyan league he win 5–1 against Al Whada, making more goal in one match that in all games from the start of the season before is become manager. One of his best match was the derby played on 21 January 2009 against Al Alhy with an audience of 80 000 fan's. Al Ittihad won 2–1 at the last minute playing in ten (Snani took a red card at the 70'). The day after the newspaper article he reported: "For the rest of my life I will never forget this match, my players played like "Old Gladiators" in the Arena and won; thanks to the fan's we didn't feel like playing in 10 players but in 12 instead!".

12 players of his team were then part of the Libyan National Team in March 2009 during the CHAN ( African Cup of Nation) in Ivory Cost.

He also managed the team during the "Arabic Champion Cup" in the semi-final against Club African from Tunisia and the African Champion's League. The Italian newspaper "Corriere dello Sport" selected Stefano Cusin as one of the Italian top Coach in the world, on 2 October 2009.[27]

The international Magazine "soccer coaching international" from the Netherlands dedicated him an article 6-page long about his style of work in November 2009.

Arabic Countries success[edit]

As a result of his brilliant experience in the Arabic Countries, Stefano Cusin receive many proposals from Arabic Country and Africa. He was contacted by Walter Zenga, "the Inter legend" in order to train over the Persian Gulf countries. He accepted to be Walter Zenga's assistant to co-work in Saudi for two years.[28]

Al Nassr[edit]

In Saudi Arabia, with Al Nassr Riyad he worked from June to December 2010. He started the season on 14 August 2010 winning 1–0 in Najran and beating Al Fateh 7 days after 4–2. When he left the club,on 31 December 2010, the Team was second classed; with the best attack of the league and losing only one game.

Al Nasr[edit]

In January 2011, Walter Zenga and Stefano Cusin moved to Dubai to train the Al Nasr Dubai Team.

The 5 June 2011,winning in Kalba against Ittihad Kalba 2–1 and after winning the last 4 match in the league Following a great work, the Team qualified for the Asian Champion's League 2012 for the first time. In May 2011, he extended the contract to another year, until June 2012.

From 6 June to 15 July 2011,Stefano Cusin and Roberto Baggio was a teammate during the Training course in Coverciano, Italian federation and become good friend. In November 2011 he played in Dubai the "all star" match. A benefit match for the Libyan's Children;[29] part of his team were Materazzi, Zanetti, Madjer, Koller, Muntasser, Nedved, Pires, Fadiga, Zwey, Aboud and Zenga. On 23 December 2011, during the derby of Dubai against Al Wasl, Cusin met the Argentinian Football Legend Diego Maradona ( Coach of Al Wasl), the match finish 2–2.

In January 2012, During the African Cup of Nation 2012 he worked as the "expert of the African Football" for the famous Italian Calciomercato.com.[30] At the beginning of the competition he declared that the Zambia national team was the serious outsider for the title; Zambia won the African Champion in February 2012.[31]

In the end of season Al Nasr finishes second and qualify Asia Champions League. Stefano Cusin left the club at end of this season

Fujairah[edit]

In May 2013, Sheikh Maktoum Al Sharqi, President of Fujairah FC sign a contract with coach Cusin.

For the first 5 months Cusin worked like technical director for the club, for follow the team, scouting players for new season and put the base for a winning team. He involved in structuring the club both youth and senior level team.

After nine months in-charge, the club had won 17 out of 19 matches with qualification for the Final of Division 1 Cup. He decided to leave the club due to disagreement with some of the board members. At end of season the club was promoted to premier leave.

Al Jazira[edit]

On 28 October 2013 he signed a contract with Al Jazira Club with his friend Walter Zenga again.

At the end of season Al Jazira Club finished with 3rd position in the league (in October they were 7th position) and qualified for 2015 Asia Champions League.

The club was Runner up in the UAE Cup 2014

In 2014 Asian Champions League Al Jazira Club secured 2nd position in the group stage and qualified for 1/8 Finals after eliminating Iranian giant Esteghlal Tehran Football Club and Al Rayyan from Qatar.

Ahli al Khalil – Palestine 2015[edit]

In September 2014, the fans of Ahli al Khalil – the smaller of the two Hebron clubs – didn't have high hopes from the forthcoming season. The club's performances in the West Bank Premier League were unstable, and the team was sailing between the lower and middle places of the table, as per usual in recent years.

In January, after a dull half a season, the technical staff of the club was in a state of chaos: the coach left to Jordan and the team's captain replaced him. But the club's chairman, Mr. Kifah Sharif, had an ace up his sleeve. He had an unorthodox idea: to sign, for the very first time in the history of Palestinian football, an Italian coach as a club manager.

Stefano Cusin's arrival to the disputed city of Hebron was transformative: in January, the club immediately won its first ever trophy the 'Yasser Arafat Cup' (the local league cup).

Then, Ahli al Khalil were promoted to the Palestinian Cup Final, after a victory against the current holders, Taraji Wad al-Nis, who played at the AFC Cup this season. They won also the last Derby against Shabab (the city rival), becoming one of the best teams in the league.[32]

On 6 August, the West Bank's Ahli Al-Khalil crossed the Gaza Strip, which is blockaded by Israel, for the first time in 15 years to play an historic match with Al-Ittihad Shejaia. Palestinian football has been divided due to the political turmoil in the nation. The football system is divided into the West Bank Premier League and the Gaza Strip League. Each league includes 12 clubs.

A team of 30 people including Italian football manager Stefano Cusin, 21 football players and technical, administrative and press members entered Gaza, after both teams were given the necessary permission while crossing the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to play in the Palestinian Cup.[33]

The first game between the two teams was played at Yarmouk Stadium in Gaza on Thursday and the match ended 0-0. Around 7,000 fans packed Gaza's Yarmouk stadium, which was decked with Palestinian national flags.[34]

The return match, originally scheduled on 9 August, was postponed to 14 August, due irregularities on some visas of four players and three executives of Shujaiyeh. The "historic match" eventually ended and was won by Ahli al-Khalil coached from Italian Stefano Cusin. The team of Hebron beat 2-1 Ittihad Shujaiyeh of Gaza, with the winning goal scored in the first minute of extra-time, on free kick, by Ahmad Maher.[35]

While Ahli Al-Khalil's small stadium was overflowing with fans, hundreds of thousands watched on television and bustling Gaza fell quiet as Shejaia supporters willed their team on from afar in cafes and restaurants.[36] The club in this way has won the Supercup of Palestine and the right of access to the final stages of the Asian Cup.

On 11 September 2015 Stefano and his team gained their fourth trophy in just eight months by beating 3-2 the Shabab Aldahreya opponent, granting him the victory of Supercup for West Bank Clubs.[37]

After this great period Stefano Cusin, has decided to stop for personal reasons his experience by thanking players, staff, supporters and everybody involved in the team.[38]

On 19 October 2015, he enrolled in the "First Class Coach – UEFA Pro" course.[39]

Al Shaab[edit]

Stefano Cusin receives the helm of the team in mid 2015 season and remains as coach until the end of the season.

In his debut vs Dibba Al-Fujairah Club in President Cup, he won an important match by 4–1.[40]

At the end of the season he leaves the club for moving in England with Wolves.

Wolverhampton Wanderers[edit]

On 30 July 2016, the English club announces Stefano Cusin as vice of Walter Zenga.[41] The transfer was possible through Jorge Mendes, the famous football agent. Cusin signs a contract that binds him to Wolves until 30 June 2017.

The debut was against Rotherham, with a draw of 2-2, on 6 August 2016.[42]

The highlights of the season were the home victory on 13 August against Reading (2-0),[43] and away wins on 20 August against Birmingham (1-3)[44] and on 17 September defeating Newcastle (0-2), team that after will win the Championship later that year, in front of an audience of 52000.[45]

In September 2016 Cusin got UEFA PRO License by presenting his thesis entitled "Coaching abroad in the world".[46]

Black Leopards[edit]

On 4 July 2018, the South African team have appointed Stefano Cusin as club's new technical director.[47]

During his first press conference, Cusin said that he will make a contribution to the club in terms of growth and improvement of results, trying to emphasize the African style of play rather than following the European one.[48]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Al Jazira focussed on win with outside chance of Cup semi at stake Fujairah Sport Club
  2. ^ Al Jazira focussed on win with outside chance of Cup semi at stake
  3. ^ Classe '68, Cusin è nato in Canada, a Montreal
  4. ^ "Un Italien sur le banc du Soudan du Sud (officiel)". Football 365 (in French). 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  5. ^ A Little Italy The Bohemien’s Cusin
  6. ^ a b Italian Coach In The World at mistercottone.com
  7. ^ Organo mensile dell’Associazione Italiana Calciatori at assocalciatori.it[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ Stefano Cusin riparte e torna in Palestina
  9. ^ FootballDatabase. Football Database. Retrieved 25 March 2012
  10. ^ Coach Career at footballdatabase.eu
  11. ^ From Arezzo The Football In Cameroon at viaroma100.net
  12. ^ "The Italian Adventure For Stefano Cusin And His Players From Acada Sport (Cameroon) at arezzonotizie.it". Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  13. ^ "Two Special Coach at empolicalcio.it". Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  14. ^ "Interiview With Stefano Cusin at empolicalcio.it". Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  15. ^ International Tournament For Football Academic In Cotonou (Tiafco) at skyrock.com
  16. ^ Kick To Goal: The Dream Of Football Stardom at united-docs.com[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ Partnership Congo Federation And Royal Trophy: 3 Tons Of Sports Equipment Has Arrived To Pointe Noire (Congo) at brazzaville-adiac.com
  18. ^ According To Stefano Cusin, For Best Results, The Movement At The Base Must Be Broader at brazzaville-adiac.com
  19. ^ [The Big Challenges of Leon Alfred Opimbat at diablesrougescongo.com http://www.diablesrougescongo.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2476 Archived 15 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine]
  20. ^ Siena – Pfc Botev Plovdiv 2–0 at robur1904.it
  21. ^ Foggia: Now Against The Bulgarian From Plovdiv at usfoggia.it
  22. ^ Apiro To An Award For U. S. Foggia at usfoggia.it
  23. ^ Catania: Against Botev Is A Serious Friendly Match at catania46.net
  24. ^ Official: Cusin New Coach For Al Ittihad at tuttomercatoweb.co
  25. ^ Official, Cusin Will Train Al Ittihad at footballpress.net[usurped]
  26. ^ A Toscany Coach Win League In Libya at repubblica.it
  27. ^ [Stefano Cusin, Al Ittihad Tripoli Fc Former Head Coach at meerdansport.nl http://www.meerdansport.nl/pdf/SCI%2009.06%2004-07.pdf Archived 8 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine]
  28. ^ Abroad Italian Coach, Cusin at calciomercato.com
  29. ^ Libyan Children Benefit From Dubai Charity Match at gulfnews.com
  30. ^ Africa Cup 2012, Cusin at calciomercato.com
  31. ^ Africa Cup 2012: Cusin at calciomercato.com
  32. ^ "Cattenacio Palestino – an Interview with Stefano Cusin". babagol.net. 4 May 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  33. ^ "The West Bank's Soccer Team Hasn't Played in Gaza in 15 Years. That's About to Change". vice.com. 5 August 2015.
  34. ^ "West Bank's Ahli plays out historic draw in Gaza". Al Jazeera. 7 August 2015.
  35. ^ "Cusin fa la storia in Palestina con il suo Ahli al-Khalil". gazzetta.it. 15 August 2015.
  36. ^ "Video: Ahli Al-Khalil beat Shejaia to win Palestine Cup". albawaba.com. 15 August 2015.
  37. ^ "Match Results". goalzz.com.
  38. ^ "CALCIO, CISGIORDANIA; AHLI AL-KHALIL: CUSIN SI DIMETTE". repubblica.it. 3 October 2015.
  39. ^ "CMASTER UEFA PRO: COMINCIA OGGI IL NUOVO CORSO". settoretecnico.figc.it. 19 October 2015.
  40. ^ "Dibba Al Fujairah – Al Shaab (Soccer, Presidents Cup 2015/2016)". sportstats.com. 26 February 2016.
  41. ^ "NEWS – Club Finalises Key Appointments". wolves.co.uk. 5 August 2016.
  42. ^ "Rotherham United 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers – BBC Sport". BBC. 6 August 2016.
  43. ^ "Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Reading". BBC Sport. 13 August 2016.
  44. ^ "Birmingham City 1-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 20 August 2016.
  45. ^ "Newcastle United 0-2 Wolves". BBC Sport. 17 September 2016.
  46. ^ "Figc News – Master UEFA Pro". figc.it. 7 September 2016.
  47. ^ "Black Leopards appoints new technical director". sabcnews.com. 4 July 2018.
  48. ^ "Stefano Cusin to promote African style at Black Leopards". kickoff.com. 9 July 2018.

External links[edit]

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