Former Napoli Sporting Director Reflects on Missed Opportunity with Luka Modric

A Glimpse into the Past

Pierpaolo Marino, the previous sporting director of Napoli, has shared his thoughts on the opportunity he let slip away with Luka Modric.

After achieving remarkable success with Real Madrid, Modric is currently competing in Serie A with AC Milan.

Near Miss with Modric

Marino confessed that he was on the verge of signing Modric when the player was just 18 years old and still with Dinamo Zagreb. He expressed his regret during an interview with La Stampa, stating:

“I saw Modric at 18 during his time at Dinamo Zagreb. He was relatively unknown at the time, and I had the intention of bringing him to Napoli. Unfortunately, we were unable to finalize the deal due to bureaucratic hurdles.”

The Insight on Hamsik

He also discussed his successful signing of Marek Hamsik, admitting:

“I was captivated by Hamsik’s technical skills, leading me to monitor him closely until I realized his potential. I decided to secure his signature right away.”

The Role of Data in Scouting

Regarding modern scouting methods, Marino noted the significance of data, stating:

“Data should be viewed as a resource to enhance judgments, working alongside what I refer to as the ‘eye meter,’ or human instinct.

It’s essential to carefully choose which algorithms to rely on. In my view, information regarding physical and athletic attributes holds greater importance than technical assessments.”