“Italiano will do what Alimpijevic did” – this is how football pundit Uğur Sever summed up the mission awaiting Beşiktaş head coach Vincenzo Italiano. Speaking on the Vole program, Sever drew a bold parallel between the Italian manager and Beşiktaş’s successful basketball coach Dusan Alimpijevic, underlining that both are tasked with building competitive teams under serious constraints.
According to Sever, Italiano has come to Beşiktaş not just to manage, but to transform. He stressed that the new coach is planning a deep structural change in the squad and in the way the team approaches the game:
“Vincenzo Italiano is going to try to replicate in football what Alimpijevic managed to do in basketball with a limited budget,” he said, framing the Italian’s challenge as a long-term reconstruction project rather than a quick cosmetic fix.
Sever highlighted that, despite the short time since Italiano’s arrival, a clear shift is already visible in the black-and-white side. In his words, the contrast with last season is stark:
“Where is that Beşiktaş which crashed out in the Turkish Cup semi-finals, and where is this Beşiktaş we are watching now?”
With this rhetorical comparison, he pointed to both the mentality change and the tactical evolution that, in his view, have already begun to take root.
The commentator’s remarks once again brought to the forefront discussions within Turkish football circles about Italiano’s game model and his rapidly growing influence on the squad. Many observers believe that his ideas and demanding style are reshaping Beşiktaş’s identity, pushing the team toward a more modern, proactive brand of football that mirrors Alimpijevic’s aggressive, energetic basketball philosophy.
The reference to Alimpijevic is not accidental. The Serbian coach turned Beşiktaş’s basketball section into a feisty, overachieving unit, regularly punching above its financial weight. By trusting young players, imposing a clear system, and maximizing every resource, he built a side capable of challenging better-funded rivals. Sever suggests that Beşiktaş’s football department now expects Italiano to follow a similar path: build a coherent structure, develop undervalued assets, and create a team whose strength exceeds the sum of its parts.
Budgetary limitations form a key part of this parallel. Just as Alimpijevic had to work without the luxury of star-studded signings, Italiano is expected to operate in a transfer market where every euro must be justified. Instead of relying on expensive names, the focus is shifting to intelligent scouting, flexible players, and a tactical framework that can elevate the squad. That is why, in Sever’s view, the real “transfer” at Beşiktaş this summer may be the coach’s philosophy rather than any individual arrival.
Sever also emphasized that the early transformation is not solely about results, but about the way Beşiktaş approaches matches. Under Italiano, the team is being driven toward higher intensity, more structured pressing, and more purposeful possession. The aim is to move away from reactive football and toward a style where Beşiktaş dictates the rhythm, much like Alimpijevic’s teams aim to control the tempo on the hardwood, regardless of the opponent.
From a psychological standpoint, the coaching change seems to have energized both the dressing room and the fan base. Sever noted that the atmosphere around the club feels different compared to the period following last season’s Turkish Cup exit. Back then, frustration and uncertainty dominated the conversation. Now, curiosity and cautious optimism have taken their place. The idea that “this Beşiktaş is not the same as the one that fell in the semi-final” encapsulates that renewed sense of possibility.
There is, however, an implicit warning in Sever’s comments: such a transformation cannot be judged overnight. Drawing a line to basketball again, he reminded viewers that Alimpijevic’s project required time, trust, and patience before it started delivering consistent results. Those expecting an immediate miracle from Italiano could be disappointed if they do not understand the scale of the rebuild. The stakes are high, but so is the complexity of the task.
Tactically, observers anticipate that Italiano will insist on a clear game identity that remains recognizable regardless of opponents. This may include building from the back with courage, compressing space without the ball, and emphasizing collective movement over individual improvisation. Within this structure, certain players are expected to grow into new roles, while others might struggle to adapt. Sever implied that the coming weeks will be decisive in determining who truly fits the Italian coach’s vision.
The transformation will also likely be measured against how Beşiktaş performs in key fixtures, especially away from home in hostile environments. Within the fan discourse, one commonly voiced opinion is that a serious verdict on Italiano’s impact will only be possible after a run of challenging matches, particularly tough away trips against direct rivals. In such games, the team’s mentality, organization, and resilience will be tested far more rigorously than in routine encounters.
Another significant dimension is the club’s transfer policy under Italiano. Even if the article originally referenced specific names and moves, the essential point remains that every potential signing is being assessed through the lens of the new coach’s footballing blueprint. Rather than collecting high-profile individuals, Beşiktaş is steering toward building a balanced, complementary squad. Sever’s analysis suggests that this alignment between coaching philosophy and recruitment is one of the main reasons expectations around Italiano are so high.
In addition, youth development is likely to become central to this project. The Alimpijevic comparison carries an implicit expectation that emerging talents will not merely fill squad numbers, but will be integrated with clear responsibilities and pathways. If Italiano can manage to blend experienced leaders with academy products and smart signings, Beşiktaş could gain both sporting and financial stability, exactly the kind of sustainable model modern clubs seek.
Sever’s comments also reflect a broader trend in Turkish football: the increasing value placed on tactically sophisticated, system-oriented coaches. Gone are the days when motivational speeches alone could carry a big club through a season. Italiano represents a new generation of managers who bring detailed game plans, data-driven preparation, and a strong emphasis on structure. The club’s decision to back such a profile signals an ambition to keep pace with European standards.
Ultimately, Uğur Sever’s verdict can be summarized as both a compliment and a challenge for Vincenzo Italiano. By saying “Italiano will try to do what Alimpijevic did with a low budget in basketball,” he frames the Italian as the architect of a potential renaissance at Beşiktaş. The early signs of change have been noticed and appreciated, especially when contrasted with last season’s disappointments. Yet the true measure of success will come over time, in how consistently this new Beşiktaş can compete, evolve, and stay loyal to its emerging identity.
For now, one thing is clear in Sever’s analysis: this is not just about erasing the memory of a painful Turkish Cup semi-final exit. It is about building a Beşiktaş that looks, plays, and thinks differently – a team that, much like its basketball counterpart under Alimpijevic, can defy limitations and reassert itself as a force to be reckoned with on every front.