Biography of Serse Cosmi

A Warlock on the bench

May 5, 1958
Here's a coach who, as they say, it is done alone. Perugino, Serse Cosmi has always cultivated the football fever with so much passion, without being scared that much when, for many years, was forced to make his way up among amateurs; by her he had at the same time, the intelligence to exploit opportunities fortunate that happened. Author of the recent "miracle Perugia", is literally idolized by the fans, as well as for its undoubted qualities, even for the character he has created (voluntarily or not, that doesn't matter), with its inevitable basketball cap lowered on the head (that makes it recognizable even in the middle of a stadium with thousands of people), his manners francs , his cries or how gesturing. Born in 1958 in Ponte San Giovanni (in Perugia, of course), after getting married to Rosy, historical, not girlfriend never moved from her beloved places of birth. Cosmi has two children, a boy and a girl, you don't know how much football fans.
Cosmi's career starts from nothing. From the beginning life was not particularly generous with him, forcing him to great sacrifices. Left fatherless at an early age (must, among other things, his own name to his father Antonio who, big cycling fan, calls him Xerxes in honor of brother of Fausto Coppi), it remains alone with her mother Louise, who inevitably becomes its landmark, along with two older sisters. Offering him a foothold of life, a way to escape is soccer, where he became an incurable passionate. Starts as a footballer and as such living almost thirty years, when you begin to seriously consider engaging the training of talents and at practice, a road that is well suited to his charismatic personality. After a couple of good experiences as youth coach of Perugia (Pg), is called as coach of Marquette, the team of his country.
We are in the summer of ' 90 and Cosmi, still inexperienced, find great difficulties. The old bridge is stationed in the final standings. Everything seems to turn for the worse, when, with a weird idea, manages to change the course of things. A player hears about an old man in his eighties who runs a restaurant in Gubbio; He calls himself "the mustache" and people say he's a magician, performing superstitious practices. Why not try it? Xerxes brings all his men from this quaint character. The wizard begins to perform strange rituals: touch the hands of the goalkeeper, fondling the feet of center forward, gives good luck bracelets. The Pontevecchio WINS 12 consecutive games and save. Cosmi is confirmed. In time it will improve what eventually became his absolute strength: the group. Episodes, sometimes playful, who see him involved with his players are countless: from spaghetti at midnight during some withdrawals, in a movie in which hints to note tv show "Mai dire gol" and still jealously guards.
In five years leads the team in the National Amateur Championship (the current serie D). In season 1995/96 was hired from Arezzo, fallen nobleman that precisely from the National Amateur Championship in a hurry to get back into professional football. Superstition Cosmi continues to lead his men from the "whisker", the team gets two promotions, until the serie C1, then tap even step in serie B last season. The rest is recent history and is even more surprising when you consider that, as Arrigo Sacchi, has a past as a featured player. His experience is gained on amateur fields of Umbria (Deruta, Cannara, Spello and Pontevecchio) where, incredibly enough seeing the grit that has now, was almost in-timorito by the opponent and the markings too aggressive.
In the few moments when you libero Serie B loves hanging out with old friends, or go back to her country's sports field to watch the training of young people. His biggest hobby is looking for mushrooms in the woods of the beloved Umbria. In 2000 Cosmi received in Marsciano, his mother's native country, from the hands of Giovanni Trapattoni "Premio Nestor" as the year's best sports umbro. A recognition context, which in the past has gone to athletes such as Boxer Gianfranco Rosi, footballer Fabrizio Ravanelli, Roberto Brunamonti basketball player Andrea Sartoretti and volleyball player. In 2004 leaves moved Perugia to begin a new adventure in serie B with Genoa. Trains then Udinese (2005-2006), Brescia (2007-2008), Livorno (2009-2010) and Palermo (2011).
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.