David Platt yesterday completed his transition from spurned Youth Training Scheme trainee with Manchester United to manager of one of the most famous clubs in the world. The former England captain, who started his career at Crewe after being told by then United boss Ron Atkinson he was not good enough, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Sampdoria.
Within hours of being confirmed as manager, or to be specific as `Supervisor, in charge of all Sampdoria teams', Platt was already installed at the Bogliasco training ground, trying to prepare his new charges for Sunday's visit of AC Milan.
The wordy title is necessary because Platt does not have the qualifications required to be the official coach. However he is in charge of team affairs - at 32, the youngest boss in Serie A - and that has already brought some criticism from those within the Italian game who believe Sampdoria should not be allowed to appoint someone of Platt's limited experience.
Platt himself described it as "a dream come true" to return to the Genoa club where he spent two successful years as a player, and has identified a lack of spark within the side as his first problem to deal with.
He said: "I am so happy to be here because ever since leaving Sampdoria four years ago I have never given up hope of returning.
"I have seen Sampdoria play once in Turin against Juventus in the flesh and often on television. The character is good but perhaps there is a bit of personality missing in the team.
"On my part I will seek to add a bit of my personality to the changing room. We will see how it goes.
"Of course I sense an enormous pressure as I realise this is a very high profile job and a historical appointment for someone of my age and experience. But anyone who knows me or who has followed my career understands that I always strive for perfection."
Sampdoria, nicknamed the `Blucherchiati' - literally `the ringed blue' - are one place off the relegation zone in 14th in Serie A.
Club president Enrico Mantovani said: "To all intents and purposes he is our coach - even though we intend to respect the regulations currently in force, as we have always done."
In the meantime, the club have hired an Italian, 59-year-old Giorgio Veneri, who has coached Serie C sides Leffe and Prato, to be nominally in charge of the team.
Sampdoria have been the victims of some heavy defeats this season but there is undoubted quality in the team. Much of Platt's success may depend on the return from injury of the club's star striker, Vincenzo Montella, and the form of Argentinian playmaker Ariel Ortega.
Meanwhile, in Spain, Barcelona's Dutch coach Louis van Gaal is expected to tender his resignation during the next 24 hours, according to reports in the Spanish media last night.
Barcelona, league and cup double winners last season are currently languishing in 10th place in the league and are said to be trying to reach an agreement with van Gaal over his contract, which has an indemnification clause of £5.7 million.
Van Gaal was widely expected to be eased out after the defeat by Villareal on Sunday but won the backing of the club board after a three-hour meeting on Monday.
Brian McClair has teamed up with Brian Kidd as a coach at Blackburn. Motherwell last night revealed that the former Manchester United star had joined new Rovers manager Kidd at Ewood Park for an undisclosed fee.
