Stefano Cusin

Stefano Cusin

Stefano Cusin, during the final match of West Bank Cup in Palestine, with Ahli Al-Khaleel.
Personal information
Full name	Stefano Cusin
Date of birth	28 October 1968
Place of birth	Italy
Playing position	Winger
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
Teams managed
1994–1995	A.S Roanne
1996–2002	Arezzo
2002–2003	Montevarchi
2004–2006	Acada Sports
2008–2009	Botev Plovdiv
2008–2009	Al Ittihad Tripoli
2010–2011	Al Nassr Riyad (Assistant)
2011-2012	Al-Nasr Sports Club (Assistant)
2012–2013	Fujairah SC[1]
2013–2014	Al Jazira Club (Assistant) [2]
2015	Ahli Al-Khaleel
2016	Al-Shaab
2016	Wolverhampton Wanderers (Assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

Stefano Cusin (born 28 October 1968) is an Italian football manager and former player, who gained international prominence as coach in Europe: France, Italy, Bulgaria, in Africa: Cameroon, Congo and Libya, In Asia: Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.^[3][4][5] He was most recently assistant manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Football League Championship.

He speaks Italian, French, English .

Early managerial career

Cusin had, from the beginning, a varied managerial career. In France and Italy he trained for 7 years a young players Teams, winning lots of championships. Soon after he moved to Cameroon. In 2003, in fact, the Cameroon 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, a right tactic plan could make it more competitive. He first selected players with high athletic qualities, taught them different technical tactics, and then he worked on their winning positive feelings.

Manager career

Transfers

Country	Club	From	To	Role
	Ahli Al-Khaleel	15 Jan 2015	8 Oct 2015	Manager
	Al Jazira Club	28 Oct 2013	30 Jun 2014	A. Manager
	Fujairah SC	30 Jan 2013	27 Oct 2013	Manager
	Al Nasr	24 Jan 2011	30 Jun 2012	A. Manager
	Al Nasr Riyad	1 July 2010	23 January 2011	A. Manager
	Al Ittihad	20 November 2008	1 July 2009	Manager
	Botev	15 May 2008	10 Oct 2008	Manager
	Congo National Team (Congo)	1 January 2007	15 March 2008	Manager
	Acada Sports – N.Q.S.A (Cameroon)	10 June 2004	30 November 2006	Manager
	Team Cameroon (Cameroon)	15 August 2003	15 April 2004	Manager
	Montevarchi	1 July 2002	1 July 2003	Manager
	Arezzo	1 July 1996	1 July 2002	Manager
	Roanne	1 July 1994	1 July 1996	Manager

As of 28 October 2015.^[4][6][7]

Cameroon 2003–2006

In 2003, in fact, the Cameroon 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, a right tactic plan could make it more competitive. He first selected players with high athletic qualities, taught them different 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)^[8] based in Limbé asked him to keep on working as the Technical Director of Cameroon^[9] for the following three years, in joint venture with one of the best Club in Italy for the youth programme, Empoli Football Club.^[10][11] 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 5 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 win in this important tournament and on 29 February 2005 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)^[12] 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".^[13]

National Team of Congo 2007

In 2007 he signed a two years contract as the National Technical Director of the National Team of Congo.^[14][15] 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.^[16]

Botev Plovdiv – Bulgaria Premier League 2008

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,^[17] Empoli, Foggia^[18][19]). 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.^[20] In October he was sacked by the club

Al Ittihad Libya 2008–2009

Late 2008s

In November 2008 he signed a year contract for Al Ittihad Team, Tripoli Libya.^[21][22] When he arrived in November, the Team was only fifth classed. Minus 9 from the first …..eight months later: Al Ittihad won the championship,^[23] 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.^[24]

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 – From Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia) to Al Jazira Club ( United Arab Emirates)

Walter Zenga and Stefano Cusin

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 Gulf countries. He accepted to be Walter Zenga's assistant to co-work in Saudi for two years.^[25]

Al Nassr – Saudi Arabia 2010

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 Dubai – United Arab Emirates 2011–2012

Appointment and first years

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;^[26] 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.^[27] 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.^[28]

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 SC – United Arab Emirates 2013

In January 2013, Sheikh Maktoum Al Sharqi, President of Fujairah SC sign a contract with coach Cusin. The target was to reach the UAE Arabian Gulf League for the season 2013-2014 campaign.

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 Club – United Arab Emirates 2014

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

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.^[29]

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.^[30]

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.^[31]

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.^[32]

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.^[33] 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.^[34]

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.^[35]

References

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. A Little Italy The Bohemien’s Cusin
4. Italian Coach In The World at mistercottone.com
5. Organo mensile dell’Associazione Italiana Calciatori at assocalciatori.it
6. FootballDatabase. Football Database. Retrieved on 25 March 2012
7. Coach Career at footballdatabase.eu
8. From Arezzo The Football In Cameroon at viaroma100.net
9. The Italian Adventure For Stefano Cusin And His Players From Acada Sport (Cameroon) at arezzonotizie.it
10. Two Special Coach at empolicalcio.it
11. Interiview With Stefano Cusin at empolicalcio.it
12. International Tournament For Football Academic In Cotonou (Tiafco) at skyrock.com
13. Kick To Goal: The Dream Of Football Stardom at united-docs.com
14. Partnership Congo Federation And Royal Trophy: 3 Tons Of Sports Equipment Has Arrived To Pointe Noire (Congo) at brazzaville-adiac.com
15. According To Stefano Cusin, For Best Results, The Movement At The Base Must Be Broader at brazzaville-adiac.com
16. [The Big Challenges of Leon Alfred Opimbat at diablesrougescongo.com http://www.diablesrougescongo.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2476]
17. Siena – Pfc Botev Plovdiv 2–0 at robur1904.it
18. Foggia: Now Against The Bulgarian From Plovdiv at usfoggia.it
19. Apiro To An Award For U. S. Foggia at usfoggia.it
20. Catania: Against Botev Is A Seriuos Friendly Match at catania46.net
21. Official: Cusin New Coach For Al Ittihad at tuttomercatoweb.co
22. Official, Cusin Will Train Al Ittihad at footballpress.net
23. A Toscany Coach Win League In Libya at repubblica.it
24. [Stefano Cusin, Al Ittihad Tripoli Fc Former Head Coach at meerdansport.nl http://www.meerdansport.nl/pdf/SCI%2009.06%2004-07.pdf]
25. Abroad Italian Coach , Cusin at calciomercato.com
26. Libyan Children Benefit From Dubai Charity Match at gulfnews.com
27. Africa Cup 2012, Cusin at calciomercato.com
28. Africa Cup 2012: Cusin at calciomercato.com
29. "Cattenacio Palestino - an Interview with Stefano Cusin". babagol.net. 4 May 2015.
30. "The West Bank's Soccer Team Hasn't Played in Gaza in 15 Years. That's About to Change.". vice.com. 5 August 2015.
31. "West Bank's Ahli plays out historic draw in Gaza". aljazeera.com. 7 August 2015.
32. "Cusin fa la storia in Palestina con il suo Ahli al-Khalil". gazzetta.it. 15 August 2015.
33. "Video: Ahli Al-Khalil beat Shejaia to win Palestine Cup". albawaba.com. 15 August 2015.
34. "Match Results". goalzz.com.
35. "CALCIO, CISGIORDANIA; AHLI AL-KHALIL: CUSIN SI DIMETTE". repubblica.it. 3 October 2015.

External links

• Stefano Cusin – Official Website Stefano Cusin – Official Website