From Sulejman Demollari's short adventure at the head of the Albanian national team, in 2002, the era of foreign coaches began at the red and black team. Sometimes successful and sometimes not, like Giuseppe Dossena.
The Italian was the first in the "export" of foreign coaches from the AFL, to arrive at the Brazilian Sylvinho.
Tomorrow the technician will be presented to the media as the new coach of the national team. But in order to gain the first points, Sylvinho has clarified that he will be resident in Albania.
Dossena remains, in any case, the most failed case of a foreign technician in the management of the Rossoneri. The former Dorian 'escaped' after only two games with an open understatement for the team he left. The team he left passed into the hands of Hans-Peter Briegel. Germany, in a period of 4 years (2002–2006), received quite a bit of satisfaction. Starting with the victory in the debut, 3-1 against Russia in "Loro Boriçi", or the one against the European champions, Greece. Then, in their first outing as winners in Portugal, Rehagel's side went down 1-2.
After the German, who won the hearts of the Albanians, a professor like Otto Barić arrived. The Croatian lasted only one season (2006–2007) and left after the embarrassing defeat to Romania. However, he showed character when, after the heart problem, he appeared immediately in Sofia to block the Bulgarians in a heavy draw.
Arie Haan in the 2008–2009 season, disappeared without leaving a trace, giving way to another Croatian like Josip Kuže. He led the red and blacks from 2009 to 2011, until a stroke forced him to leave the bench to the longest-serving coach in the history of foreigners who have led the national team.
Italian love
Gianni De Biasi from 2011 to 2017 is memorable for qualifying Albania for the first time in the finals of a major tournament. The Italian led the Reds and Blacks to Euro 2016. Then the love born with the Italians is also the merit of the 'Albanian' De Biasi.
The AFL continued with technicians from across the Adriatic: Christian Panucci in 2017–2019 and Edoardo Reja in the three years that followed.
But Gianni's Albanian passport did not change the concept that all other foreigners had strictly maintained. Part-time presence in Albania. That is until Sylvinho arrived. The Brazilian, as well as his staff with Doriva and Zabaleta, will be residents here in the 18 months of their contract with the Reds and Blacks. An idea to be closer to Albanian reality, to get to know Albanians better. And to be more Albanian than everyone else, regardless of the passport that they have differently...