The former Aston Villa star recalled the relationship with his ex boss during his one-year stint in the West Midlands.
The relationship between players and managers does not always include warmth like a family. Some prefer to form stances from the players to stay professional, while some others create close bonds which sometimes can help boost the players’ confidence too.
That was what the ex-Aston Villa star, Benito Carbone, experienced during his brief spell in Villa Park. The attacking midfielder who is considered the best Italian in the club throughout the history so far, felt a special connection with his former boss back then in the 1999/2000 season. He shared his memory during the interview with Villa as reported in the club’s official site, avfc.co.uk.
“John Gregory, for me, was like a father. For a player like me, feeling the trust of the coach is the best thing. He was very important for my career, because he gave to me everything about trusting a player.”
Carbone’s best moment with The Clarets and Blue was actually the turning point of his view on the relationship with his boss at that time, John Gregory. It was the match against Leeds United in the round of 16 of the FA Cup.
At that time, the former Inter Milan man was missing his family, who remained in Italy while he was playing in England. A few days before the match, he felt the longing for them so much that he asked Gregory to go home.
“I went to John Gregory to say: “Coach, listen, I want to go home, please. I miss my family, I miss my wife, I miss my kids, and it’s very important for me to go home.”
“The answer of John Gregory was: “Benny, you don’t go anywhere. We have the most important game of the season against Leeds, and I am sure you will score two goals.” I scored three.”
That was it. Carbone paid his boss’ trust and helped Villa send Leeds, which was in the top three at that time, to the exit in a 3-2 win. He rekindled that moment after the game with so much joy.
“John Gregory came to me and told me: “That’s why I never let you go home.” That game, when I scored the goals, I went to hug him, there’s the photos too. I said to him: “Thank you very much, coach.”
“If he had given me permission to go home, for sure, I would never have a day like this. He was sure I played that game and scored the goals.
“It was one of the best days of my life. I had never scored three goals in one game as important as this. Never. The atmosphere of the players and the fans on that day, with my teammates, with Paul Merson, with Dion Dublin, with George Boateng, with Gareth Southgate, everybody, I couldn’t believe it. It was incredible. The best day of my career.”
Aston Villa had a fine run in the FA Cup that season as they reached the final. Unfortunately, they slumped to a narrow 1-0 loss to Chelsea with their international squad.
Despite his top form in the West Midlands side, the Italian only stayed for one season. It was his homesickness which made him turn down the four-year contract. Carbone recalled that time as he added his comments.
“They offered me another four years. Four years in England away from my family, my house, my style of life. Four years was a long time, and in my head, that moment, I was back home in Italy”
However, the midfielder with 30 games for Villa appeared to regret that decision. He would have signed the contract instead if he could have gone back in time.
“If I was there with my head now, for sure, four years, I would sign for Villa. Villa is a big club, with one of the best stadiums in the world. Beautiful fans, they loved me, and that was a very big mistake from me.”
Surprisingly, he did not return home and played on his home soil until 2002. He opted to stay in England and switched sides to Bradford City. He joined Como once he left England.
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