May 9th, 2000

"Cecchi Gori promised me a really competitive team and a higher wage"
"Fiorentina, now grow up"
Toldo stays in Florence, but only to win

by Benedetto Ferrara

Francesco Toldo, so everything is decided. I mean, the fans can be sure: you will play again for 
Fiorentina.

"Yes, I am going to stay in Florence. The president confirmed to me that he will not sell me. 
So..."

Did you have a meeting?

"I didn't talk to him drectly, my agent did. The president explained to him that I am not for 
sale and assured us about the team's reinforcing. In spite of the rumours that are going round, 
Cecchi Gori explained to my agent that there are no money problems. I mean, that he has got the 
means to build an even stronger team".

So many good news... but how are you living this situation? Don't deny that the idea of leaving 
did come to your mind.  On the other side, there were also some extraordinary economic offerts, 
and those must have made you think, too, didn't they?

"I believe that in life there come some moments when you are forced to make some choices. 
Fiorentina is a good team, but we are not yet at the levels of the few teams that are fighting 
for the scudetto. I think it's natural for everyone to feel the wish to compare themselves with 
other situations. But this does not mean that I cannot be happy to stay. If the management takes 
a leap in quality and we can try and actually fight for something important..."

And maybe if Cecchi Gori is willing to revise your deal...

"This is a fundamental point. Soccer has its rules: if your value is going up then it is right 
to revise some parameters. My agent was clear and the president said to be willing to discuss 
the economical part, so I don't think there is any problem. On the other side if Fiorentina want 
to become really great, we must take a leap also from the financial point of view".

And also as far as the organization is concerned, maybe.

"Yes, a change is surely needed, Fiorentina must set out to really become one of the strongest 
managements in the world. If the level of organization in the management is low, the players 
come to be underestimated, too. I'm not telling this with a polemic spirit. I'm saying it 
because I know that this Fiorentina can grow up".

Give us an example.

"Yes, I can give you some. The first, just to give you an idea, is about the image that you give 
to the outside. Yesterday, for instance, this controversy burst out about Cannavaro's goal that 
had been disallowed. Of course the controversy had its good reason to exists because that goal 
was valid, but we also have to say that however after the game Juventus sent their general 
manager and captain on TV. One on RAI and the other on Mediaset. Well, this has its value, too. 
In the past we have been victims of injustices but nobody moved".

And then?

"And then we need plans and ideas. I hope that Fiorentina's ones will be defines as soon as 
possible. Precise technical choices are needed. But at this moment we don't know yet who the
coach will be and thus the transfer market is still, too. I don't think it's possible to wait 
for much longer. I tell you once again: I'm not saying this to make a controversy, but for 
Fiorentina's sake".

Talking about the coach: if you were asked for some advice, what would you answer?

"In my opinion the management should confirm Trapattoni. I think that he is the right man for 
this team. And then..."

Yes?

"Then I believe that the management should fight to valorize certain players also in the 
perspective of the national team. I don't think it's fair that someone like Di Livio is not 
considered. And the management's weight is very important in these choices".

Toldo, do you realize to be the greatest number one in the world?

"Well, I'm not thinking about this, on the contrary I think about getting better. Once a coach 
told me: Francesco, when you will have nothing to work on to get better it means that you have 
stopped playing".

This humbleness goes to your honour. In the meantime the European Championship is getting close, 
and those who would like you to be a starter are not few.

"Zoff said that the one who will play will be the one who is the most fit. So, no problem: I 
will work to get that role. And my friend Buffon will do the same".

But first you have a UEFA place to conquer...

"Yes, we fulfilled our duty. Unfortunately we realized too late what we were able to do. 
However, now we must only think about beating Venezia. Milan cannot lose to Udinese. We believe 
in the playoff. And, useless to say, we want to win it".

Taken from La Repubblica
www.repubblica.it
English translation by Maddalena (www.acfiorentina.ney/enricochiesa)