Gabriel Batistuta Interested In Becoming Next Middlesbrough Manager

Gabriel Batistuta was a king of Italian football in the Football Italia era when they dominated European football but soon Batigol could be making his entrance in English football as a manager.

The mid-late 90s were a wonderful time for football. England hosted Euro 96 and reached the semi final, Arsene Wenger revolutionised the Premier League by telling players to eat better, Zinedine Zidane was only heading the ball in World Cup finals and Italian football was bloody brilliant.

Every week most of us tuned into Gazzetta Football Italia on a Saturday and then to the live game on Sunday to enjoy the wonders of Serie A.

The league was littered with some of the best superstars of the time with the likes of Zidane, Alessandro del Piero, Paolo Maldini and many others gracing our screens.

One player that was loved by all, apart from defenders, was Gabriel Batistuta. Batigol helped Roma win the league in 2001 and scored 168 league goals for Fiorentina.

Since retiring the 50 year old has spent some time as a technical director and advisor in Argentina but according to the Hartlepool Mail he wants to manage in Europe and the vacancy at Middlesbrough is in his sites.

A source told the paper, "Gabi has a fantastic record both as a world leading player and technical director.

"He has discussed the potential of a move to England as his first managerial appointment and he is very keen to work with the right club next season.

"The future for Gabi is huge having completed his coaching badges last year and any club in England would be privileged to have him as their manager."

Batistuta celebrates scoring against Arsenal. Image: PA Images

Championship Boro are without a club after Tony Pulis left at the end of the season having failed to secure a place in the play-offs.

Form towards the end of the season saw them fall to seventh, one point below the play-off places.

Just imagine Batistuta rocking up to manage Middlesbrough, that's all the weird nostalgia I need to keep me going for a while.

Topics: Football News, Football Manager, Serie A, Roma, Fiorentina, Stoke City, championship

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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