The Scottish Cup draw is usually carried out in front of a few bored journalists and a static camera. Not the fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup today. I have never seen so many journalists, photographers and TV cameras gathered in one place before. Perhaps it was the prospect of being able to speak to two Italians who know a thing or two about coaching successful teams.
Chelsea manager, Andre Villas-Boas, and World Cup and Champions League-winning manager, Marcello Lippi, conducted the draw on behalf of the SFA. As it was to be shown live on Sky Sports News there was a reverential hush as the draw was made. Even the assembled managers, there to see just what hand fate would deal them, were straining to see past the lights and cameras from Sky to catch sight of Villas-Boas and Lippi. Not that anybody dared to just refer to them by their last names although I did think I heard a 'thank you to AVB' being made as the live insert into the Sky news was being wound up.
After that, there were some shots set up with the Scottish Cup inside and outside Hampden before the journalists were let loose with their questions. Lippi does not speak very good English so Kilmarnock's Manual Pascali was on hand to translate the questions and answers.
The chance to ask questions of somebody who took a side to win the World Cup does not come around that often and the press were going to make the most of it. While AVB was facing yet more TV cameras, Lippi held court to around 20 journalists and their digital recorders.
After around 20 minutes, places were changed but the interest remained high. You could tell Lippi was well respected by all who met him. His bearing and attitude to the most inane questions was of the urbane charm that some just have. He has seen and done it all and had nothing to prove. However, Lippi was willing to put in a great performance for his audience and they were not disappointed.
AVB was not one for taking liberties with his countryman. When Lippi spoke, AVB listened intently, trying to gain everything he could from the encounter. AVB is a cultured man who is enjoying his success without letting the trappings of his position spoil him.
He came to Scotland for his coaching badges as the SFA were open to European ideas and listened as well as taught. You could see that AVB was a deep football thinker but was still willing to give something back. The coaches who would be listening to AVB and Lippi later in the day as part of their own path to coaching badges were very lucky to have such special speakers on hand. I hope they took comprehensive notes.
Source: FOOTYMAD
