North Shore United men’s head coach Valerio Raccuglia interviewed by Italian football blog

North Shore United men’s head coach Valerio Raccuglia was recently interviewed by Calcio Oceanico about his experience coaching football in Oceania.

Calcio Oceanico is run by Dario Focardi, an Italian journalist based in Tuscany who is passionate about football in Oceania. The interview came about after Raccuglia’s name came up on an Italian coaches abroad Facebook page, noting that he was now head coach of the oldest football club in New Zealand.

Raccuglia spoke with Calcio Oceanico about football in New Zealand, the new domestic league system, and the upcoming Oceania World Cup qualifiers in March, as well as his time working in Samoa and his expectations for North Shore United this season.

Raccuglia has extensive experience coaching in Oceania, including with Miramar Rangers, Wellington Phoenix, Bay Olympic, as well as the New Zealand men’s under 20 and under 23 teams. He was also recruited by the Oceania Football Confederation to coach in Samoa, spending two years living and working there with his family where he coached the under 19 men’s and women’s national teams.

For any of our Italian speaking fans, the interview can be found here.

Looking ahead to the new Northern League season, Raccuglia said that preseason training has been going well with a good turnout so far. He has been impressed by the attitude and hard work of the players, noting that North Shore United is “going to be a young and hungry team this year.”

In terms of expectations, Raccuglia said he will work with the team to set up goals for the season. “We’re obviously expecting to play hard” though, “win as many games as possible” and hopefully “entertain people who come and support us.” 

While Covid-19 restrictions may not have made for the most ideal introduction to his role, Raccuglia wanted to “thank the club and its members for the warm welcome” he has received. Like all of us, he is looking forward to seeing everyone back at Allen Hill Stadium this season.