Faouzi Ghoulam begins coaching transition with Italy visit

Faouzi Ghoulam has joined a group of former professional players observing Italy’s training camp at Coverciano as he works towards a new career in football.

The former Algeria left-back, 35, attended a session involving Roberto Mancini’s Squadra Azzurra and coaching staff at the Italian technical centre. His visit was not linked to a surprise return to international football with Italy, but formed part of his preparation for life after playing.

Ghoulam is currently undertaking a course to obtain his UEFA A licence. Spending time at Coverciano has allowed him to study how a national team operates, from the planning of training sessions to the methods used by staff at the highest level.

He was joined by several other former professional players enrolled on the same course, including Riccardo Saponara and Stefano Sturaro. Both players, like Ghoulam, spent the final years of their playing careers in Turkey.

The experience offered Ghoulam an opportunity to observe an international set-up from close range and gain early practical insight into the work involved away from the pitch.

His decision to undertake the visit also reflects his strong connection with Italian football. Born in Saint-Priest, France, Ghoulam spent eight years at Napoli after joining the club from Saint-Etienne in January 2014.

During his time in Serie A, he established himself as one of the league’s most highly regarded left-backs at his peak. His progress was disrupted in November 2017 when he suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee.

A succession of fitness problems followed, and Ghoulam was unable to consistently reproduce the level he had shown before that serious injury.

The 2017 calendar year also marked his last appearances for Algeria. Ghoulam had been an international since 2013, but gradually fell out of the Fennecs’ plans as injuries continued to affect his club career.

He left Napoli in 2022 and subsequently attempted to rebuild his career, including spells at Angers and Hatayspor in Turkey. Ghoulam has been without a club since ending his time with Hatayspor in 2024, and his attention now appears increasingly focused on coaching.

His time at Coverciano represents a further step in that process. Alongside working towards his coaching qualifications, observing an international staff on a daily basis will give the former defender valuable initial experience before he potentially takes charge from the technical area himself.

After playing for Saint-Etienne, Napoli and Algeria, Ghoulam is now preparing for his next role in football.