Once a tenacious midfielder who graced Serie A`s battlegrounds, Gokhan Inler has returned to Udinese Calcio, not with boots, but with blueprints. As the club`s technical director, Inler is embarking on an ambitious project: to reignite Udinese`s competitive spirit, challenge the established hierarchy of Italian football, and bring the thrill of European nights back to the Bluenergy Stadium. This isn`t just a job; it`s a mission steeped in history and personal experience.
The Friulian Philosophy: Heart Over Heavy Wallets
Udinese, a club with a proud history in Italy`s top flight, has long navigated Serie A with a distinctive approach. Unlike many of its rivals, the Friulian outfit prides itself on astute player development and shrewd transfer dealings rather than lavish spending. For years, they`ve been a proving ground for future stars, a stepping stone where talents like Alexis Sanchez and Bruno Fernandes honed their craft before moving on to bigger stages. However, maintaining consistent challenges for European places has proven difficult in recent times.
Gokhan Inler, a pivotal figure in Udinese`s most successful modern era, remembers a different time. “When I played here, we were all young, no names, not so famous,” he recounts. “We had only Antonio Di Natale as a proper legend… What gave us the strength was the group and how we respected each other. Then we could achieve a lot more than people thought.” This philosophy — that of a strong, unified core triumphing over financial disparities — is now the cornerstone of his managerial vision.
Inler emphasizes that while the budget may not match Serie A`s “monsters,” the club possesses something equally vital: heart. He envisions a return to the days when the team shook the region, building a deeper connection with the fans in this “worker`s city.” His directive is clear: “You can lose, you can win but you need to sweat the shirt.” He has even opened training sessions to supporters, fostering a direct bond between the team and its passionate community.
Strategic Recruitment: Experience for Tomorrow`s Stars
Udinese`s business model has traditionally relied on acquiring young talent, nurturing them, and selling them for substantial profit. This summer alone saw over $20 million from the sale of Jaka Bijol, alongside other significant departures. Inler, however, is refining this tried-and-true method. While the focus remains on youth, there`s a crucial new criterion: senior experience.
“When a player comes in now, he already knows what we expect,” Inler explains. “We don`t want to sign someone and then they start playing football.” This approach is exemplified by the acquisition of Lennon Miller, a Scottish prodigious talent with 76 senior appearances before his 18th birthday. Bringing in players who are already accustomed to the rigors of professional football minimizes adaptation time and ensures they can contribute immediately. Inler understands that settling a player is about more than just their on-field ability; it`s about their entire environment. “If a player has doubts, believe me, he loses many percentage points on the field.”
The Leicester Paradox: A Champion`s Bittersweet Lesson
Perhaps the most compelling insight into Inler`s leadership philosophy comes from an unexpected chapter of his playing career: his time at Leicester City during their miraculous Premier League-winning season in 2015-16. It was, by any measure, a collective triumph, a fairy tale for the ages. For Inler, however, it was a profoundly challenging personal experience.
He arrived to considerable fanfare, hailed as the man to fill the void left by Esteban Cambiasso. Yet, fate, with a touch of cosmic irony, had other plans. Just weeks prior, Leicester had quietly secured the services of a relatively unknown 24-year-old midfielder: N`Golo Kante. Kante, as the world would soon discover, was less a hole-filler and more a seismic event, destined to become one of the sport`s most dominant figures. Inler, the accomplished veteran, found himself on the sidelines, playing just five league games, a situation that cost him his place in the Swiss national team for Euro 2016.
It was, he candidly admits, “the most difficult year in my whole career.” Yet, it was also profoundly formative. Despite his personal struggle, Inler chose to embrace his role, pushing his teammates, including Kante and Danny Drinkwater, in training. “Why did Kante become one of the best in the world?” Inler asks, then answers, “Because we, the players who didn`t play, pushed. The group respected that. I pushed Kante and Drinkwater… I had the chance to leave after six months but I said `why change? I`m a fighter.`”
This experience — sacrificing personal glory for collective success, fighting even when benched, and understanding the profound impact of a strong group dynamic — is now a cornerstone of his approach at Udinese. He won the medal, yes, but he also gained invaluable wisdom on what truly builds a winning team, irrespective of individual playing time.
Looking Ahead: The Fight for Friuli
The early signs of Inler`s influence are tangible. A recent, exceptional victory over title contenders Inter in their own San Siro provides a glimpse of the Udinese he envisions. The team, though out-possessed, fought back with heart and commitment, holding Inter to minimal shots on target. It was a victory forged in resilience and tactical discipline – hallmarks of Inler`s playing days and his current philosophy.
Inler knows the task ahead is formidable. Serie A is a league of “monsters,” financial titans, and established powerhouses. Yet, Udinese has a history of defying expectations, of cultivating a unique identity that allows it to punch above its weight. From the Di Natale era to the teams of Oliver Bierhoff before them, the club has shown it doesn`t need the financial heft of the traditional “Sette Sorelle” to compete at the top.
Gokhan Inler’s project is not merely about achieving a few impressive results. It’s about cultivating a sustainable culture of excellence, a team that embodies the fighting spirit of Friuli. It`s about smart growth, deep fan connections, and a relentless pursuit of improvement, all guided by the lessons of a career that saw him both on the field and, ironically, in the stands of a championship-winning side. His message to the football world, and to Udinese fans, is unwavering: “We don`t hide. We will always fight.”
