(ANSA) - His Manchester United side may not be having the best of spells, but Sir Alex Ferguson remains one of soccer's all-time most successful managers. That's why Italian Olympic Committee CONI has asked the 62-year-old Scot along to a two-day conference for its coaches in Rome next week.
Ferguson will give lessons on motivation and leadership to the bosses of Italy's various national teams as they start preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"Ferguson is my absolute top role model," said Italy's men's volleyball coach Gian Paolo Montali, who recently led the Azzurri to gold at the European Championships. The trainer's job should be approached in all its aspects. He has to live the life of his team and tell people what to do and how to do it. Basically, he must define the roles."
Ferguson has won 27 major trophies as a football manager.
This tally includes three Scottish league titles and a European Cup Winner's Cup with Aberdeen and, with Manchester United, eight English championships, five FA Cups, a European Cup Winner's Cup and the European Champions League. The famously strict tactician's presence in Rome on November 17-18 is down to the event's other guest of honour, Italy soccer coach Marcello Lippi, who persuaded Ferguson to come.
To make the date, Lippi will have to dash back from the Azzurri's friendly with the Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in Geneva on Thursday.
"It is the first time CONI has organized an event like this," said Italian Olympic Committee President Gianni Petrucci.
"I have always considered the coach the boss of any team. This is one of the many steps we are taking towards Beijing. You pave the way for good sporting results with initiatives of this kind."
Italy is aiming to repeat its fine medal haul from Athens 2004 in China in three years time. The Italian Olympic team came back from Greece with 10 golds, 11 silvers and 11 bronzes, finishing eighth in the medal table.
Frank Dick, one of sport's most renowned 'motivators' who has worked with the likes of Daley Thompson, Boris Becker and Katarina Witt, will also be at the conference.
