Savarese Interview 3

The Azteca Stadium saw him score against the USA in a 1-1 draw.

“I was enjoying my football a lot and in 1999 I signed on for New England Revolution a very good MLS team and moved on to San Jose Earthquakes”

Again free scoring Giovanni netted on ten occasions, he was named MLS player of the week on a number of occasions complimenting Joe Max – Moore (now at Everton) at the heart of the Revolution attack.

He goes on to explain the intricate managerial ownership that managers and agents have on you as a player in the America’s.

“I have a contact, his name is Bari Mackintosh who works with an agent, Eric Manesse in America. These people look after your career for you, and it is through them that I got the chance to play in the English league for Swansea City. I will admit that Swansea was a club I had not heard of. I looked at the map and thought, well, it’s location is good for me and my wife Michelle. When I talked of Swansea City in the USA many people knew of the team from the 1980’s, and I was impressed that they used to be a very big team in British football. The second division was not a problem for me and since I signed for the club in 2000 I have realised that the potential for a team like this is massive. They have a great tradition, and have beaten and competed against the very best in British and European football. The names the club has produced is truely amazing. I will do my very best for them until the end of the season, and then I will take it from there “

On tactics and training Giovanni is phylisophical.

“I have been coached by excellent soccer coaches. Carlos Parreira and Badu Viera, they have a good feeling for the game. In Wales I have a coach who has played at the highest level in the game, John Hollins. He keeps everything simple just like Donadoni, and Alan Curtis his assistant is very similar. It is about going out there and expressing yourself. The style of play is good for me and I felt like a part of the team from the first day. Fans in England like effort as well as good play, this is evident at Swansea, they like you to wear your shirt with pride, and I can do that for them. The style is different but you expect that, we are fighting to stay in the division and John Hollins can do that I am sure. Swansea is a great place to play football, the fans are very passionate and I enjoy living in the area, the way of life is laid back and not so hurried, a South American perspective I like” With the season hotting up the Venezuelan International who is fluent in Portugese, Italian, Spanish and English knows he has a job to do but he has something more. The intelligence off the field that is reflected in his intelligence on it. A quality that see’s him arrive at the right time and right place in the penalty box to do what he does best, score goals.

Criticised by ex Wales International turned football pundit Mark Aizlewood as not the long term answer to Swansea City’s on the field problems, Giovanni knows that you can’t please all the people all the time.

“I hear what he says, but all I can do is my job, I love the game and I love football people, he said I wouldn’t score ten goals this season, already I have passed that figure. Can I reply to him in a better way ?”

He is right, a hat trick at Kennilworth Road in a 5-3 Swansea defeat last month, proved to even the most sternest of critics that he is the natural and finished product. Even in a side that is struggling, and working with a manager who is under extreme fire from the passionate Swansea support Giovanni is achieving again. The future looks rosey for him and his family, celebrating the birth of his daughter, Valentina in Swansea at the end of February, he remains level headed and cautious, but pledges to do all he can for his adopted team until the end of the season.

And Swansea City are reaping the benefits, Giovanni Savarese, much travelled and intelligent footballer, the world is at his feet. He is Swansea’s new star, but there is much more to come from the man from Caracas, be that at The Vetch Field or elsewhere the name Giovanni Savarese is not one that is easily forgotten. And if he stays in the English league his name is one many of us will be hearing of for some time to come.

Giovanni Savarese was talking to Keith Haynes.

The full Giovanni Savarese interview with pictures is available in Junes edition of Total Football, subscribe at http://www.futurenet.co.uk/ufn which comes out on Friday.

Thanks to Total Football writer Keith Haynes we get in to the real Giovanni Savarese, read between the lines if you wish, the sad fact is we should make the best of him, because the man from Caracas has only the FAW Cup to go, and then it’s decision time!

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