Stefano Cusin

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Stefano Cusin

| image = stefano-wiki.jpg

| upright = 1.2

| caption = Cusin, during the final match of West Bank Cup in Palastine, with Ahli Al-Khaleel

| full_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|10|28|df=y}}

| birth_place = Montreal, Quebec, Canada

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = Comoros

| years1 = 1980–1985 | clubs1 = U.S Annemasse

| years2 = 1985–1987 | clubs2 = S.C Toulon

| years3 = 1987–1988 | clubs3 = Etoile Carouge

| years4 = 1988–1989 | clubs4 = Servette de Genève

| years5 = 1989–1990 | clubs5 = Saint-martin

| years6 = 1990–1991 | clubs6 = A.S Roanne

| manageryears1 = 1996–2002 | managerclubs1 = Arezzo

| manageryears2 = 2002–2003 | managerclubs2 = Montevarchi

| manageryears3 = 2004–2006 | managerclubs3 = Acada Sports

| manageryears4 = 2007–2008 | managerclubs4 = Congo

| manageryears5 = 2008–2009 | managerclubs5 = Botev Plovdiv

| manageryears6 = 2008–2009 | managerclubs6 = Al Ittihad Tripoli

| manageryears7 = 2010–2011 | managerclubs7 = Al Nassr (assistant)

| manageryears8 = 2011–2012 | managerclubs8 = Al-Nasr (assistant)

| manageryears9 = 2013 | managerclubs9 = Fujairah{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

| manageryears10 = 2013–2014 | managerclubs10 = Al Jazira (assistant){{Cite web|url=https://sport360.com/article/football/arabian-gulf-league/19350/al-jazira-focussed-win-outside-chance-cup-semi-stake|title=Al Jazira focussed on win with outside chance of Cup semi at stake - Sport360 News|first=Martyn|last=Thomas|website=sport360.com}}

| manageryears11 = 2014–2015 | managerclubs11 = Ahli Al-Khaleel

| manageryears12 = 2016 | managerclubs12 = Al-Shaab

| manageryears13 = 2016–2017 | managerclubs13 = Wolverhampton Wanderers (assistant)

| manageryears14 = 2018 | managerclubs14 = Black Leopards

| manageryears15 = 2018–2019 | managerclubs15 = Ermis Aradippou

| manageryears16 = 2019–2020 | managerclubs16 = Ahli Al-Khalil

| manageryears17 = 2020–2021 | managerclubs17 = Shahr Khodro

| manageryears18 = 2021–2023 | managerclubs18 = South Sudan

| manageryears19 = 2023– | managerclubs19 = Comoros

}}

Stefano Cusin (born 28 October 1968{{Cite web|url=https://sport.virgilio.it/stefano-cusin-e-tornato-dove-lha-portato-il-cuore-119498|title=Classe '68, Cusin è nato in Canada, a Montreal}}) is a Canadian soccer coach and former player who is the manager of the Comoros national team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lexpress.mg/2024/05/romuald-felix-rakotondrabe-la-victoire.html|title=ROMUALD FÉLIX RAKOTONDRABE - " La victoire constitue une obligation "|date=22 May 2024}} He gained international prominence as coach in Europe: France, Italy, Bulgaria, England; in Africa: Cameroon, Congo and Libya; In Asia: Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.{{Cite web|url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/little-italy-il-bohemien-cusin-libia-congo-bulgaria-ma-con-zenga-416718|title=LITTLE ITALY il bohemien Cusin: 'Libia, Congo... E con Zenga...'|date=5 November 2011|website=Calciomercato.com | Tutte le news sul calcio in tempo reale}}[http://www.mistercottone.com/blog/inchieste/allenatori-italiani-nel-mondo/ Italian Coach In The World at mistercottone.com]{{Cite web|url=http://www.assocalciatori.it/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=zSVOQ1BqRiQ%3D&tabid=157&language=en-US|title=Organo mensile dell'Associazione Italiana Calciatori at assocalciatori.it}} He was most recently assistant manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Football League Championship and coach of Shahr Khodro in Persian Gulf Pro League.[https://corrierediarezzo.corr.it/news/sport/676526/stefano-cusin-riparte-e-torna-in-palestina.html Stefano Cusin riparte e torna in Palestina]

Career

=Cameroon 2003–2006=

The first experience was a real success and Mr Henry Njalla Quan the chairman of The Njalla Quan Sports Academy (Acada Sports){{Cite web|url=http://www.viaroma100.net/notizia.php?id=860&type=&id_sez=14|title=From Arezzo The Football In Cameroon at viaroma100.net}} based in Limbé asked him to keep on working as the Technical Director of Cameroon{{Cite web |url=http://archivio.arezzonotizie.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24224&Itemid=2 |title=The Italian Adventure For Stefano Cusin And His Players From Acada Sport (Cameroon) at arezzonotizie.it |access-date=26 March 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708052418/http://archivio.arezzonotizie.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24224&Itemid=2 |archive-date=8 July 2012 |url-status=dead }} for the following three years, in joint venture with one of the best Club in Italy for the youth programme, Empoli Football Club.{{Cite web |url=http://www.empolicalcio.it/interno.php?sez=49&id=1132 |title=Two Special Coach at empolicalcio.it |access-date=26 March 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904051404/http://www.empolicalcio.it/interno.php?sez=49&id=1132 |archive-date=4 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.empolicalcio.it/interno.php?sez=31&id=598 |title=Interiview With Stefano Cusin at empolicalcio.it |access-date=26 March 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801223705/http://www.empolicalcio.it/interno.php?sez=31&id=598 |archive-date=1 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}

In occasion of the World Cup in Germany 2006, he was filmed by the ARD the Deuch T.V. His Africa story became the little movie "Kick to Goal".[http://www.united-docs.com/dokumentationen/2006/pdf/Syn_Kick_to_Goal.pdf Kick To Goal: The Dream Of Football Stardom at united-docs.com]{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

=Congo=

In 2007, he signed a two years contract as the National Technical Director of the National Team of Congo.{{Cite web|url=http://www.brazzaville-adiac.com/index.php?action=depeche&dep_id=18946&oldaction=liste®pay_id=0&them_id=0&cat_id=0&ss_cat_id=0&LISTE_FROM=0&select_month=0&select_year=0|title=Partnership Congo Federation And Royal Trophy: 3 Tons Of Sports Equipment Has Arrived To Pointe Noire (Congo) at brazzaville-adiac.com}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.brazzaville-adiac.com/index.php?action=depeche&dep_id=17850&oldaction=liste®pay_id=0&them_id=0&cat_id=&ss_cat_id=0&LISTE_FROM=0&select_month=0&select_year=0|title=According To Stefano Cusin, For Best Results, The Movement At The Base Must Be Broader at brazzaville-adiac.com}} He was responsible of all the National Teams (under 17 to Olympique Team); in 2007 the Congo Team won the under 20 Africa Cup with coach Hudansky and play the World Cup under 20 in Canada. In March 2008 he left Congo because the Federation wasn't paying his salary.[The Big Challenges of Leon Alfred Opimbat at diablesrougescongo.com http://www.diablesrougescongo.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2476 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215134600/http://www.diablesrougescongo.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2476 |date=15 February 2015 }}]

=Botev Plovdiv=

In 2008, he moved to Bulgaria to train the Bulgaria Premier League Team, Botev Plovdiv for a 6-month contract. The Team played a pretty good football during the camp in Italy against important teams of the Italian Serie A (Catania, Siena,{{Cite web|url=http://www.robur1904.it/siena---pfc-botev-plovdiv-2-0.html|title=Siena - PFC Botev Plovdiv 2-0 - Robur Siena - A.C. Siena calcio World Fan Club Robur 1904|website=www.robur1904.it}} Empoli, Foggia{{Cite web|url=http://www.usfoggia.it/news/dettaglio.asp?id=1938|title=Foggia: Now Against The Bulgarian From Plovdiv at usfoggia.it}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.usfoggia.it/news/dettaglio.asp?id=1943|title=Apiro To An Award For U. S. Foggia at usfoggia.it}}). During the game Botev Plovdiv – Catania, played in Assisi on 24 July 2008, he met "the legend of Inter" Walter Zenga, the former head coach of Catania Team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.quattroracing.com/|title=Quattroracing.com - Notizie automobilistiche, nuovi modelli e saloni dell'auto|website=www.quattroracing.com}}

=Al Ittihad Libya=

In November 2008 he signed a year contract for Al Ittihad Team, Tripoli Libya.{{Cite web|url=https://archivio.tuttomercatoweb.com/2008/ufficiale-cusin-sulla-panchina-dell-al-ittihad-132758|title=UFFICIALE: Cusin sulla panchina dell'Al-Ittihad - TUTTO mercato WEB|website=archivio.tuttomercatoweb.com}}{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120801015621/http://www.footballpress.net/index.php?action=read&idsel=28851 Official, Cusin Will Train Al Ittihad at footballpress.net]}} When he arrived in November, the Team was only fifth classed. Minus 9 from the first .....eight months later: Al Ittihad won the championship,{{Cite web|url=https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2009/06/26/un-toscano-vince-lo-scudetto-del-calcio.html|title=Un toscano vince lo scudetto del calcio libico - la Repubblica.it|date=26 June 2009|website=Archivio - la Repubblica.it}}

He also managed the team during the "Arabic Champion Cup" in the semi-final against Club African from Tunisia and the African Champion's League. The Italian newspaper "Corriere dello Sport" selected Stefano Cusin as one of the Italian top Coach in the world, on 2 October 2009.[Stefano Cusin, Al Ittihad Tripoli Fc Former Head Coach at meerdansport.nl http://www.meerdansport.nl/pdf/SCI%2009.06%2004-07.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208152238/http://www.meerdansport.nl/pdf/SCI%2009.06%2004-07.pdf |date=8 December 2015 }}]

Arabic Countries success

As a result of his experience in Arabic countries, Cusin receive many proposals from Arabic countries and Africa. He was contacted by Walter Zenga, "the Inter legend" in order to train over the Persian Gulf countries. He accepted to be Walter Zenga's assistant to co-work in Saudi for two years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/italiani-all-estero-cusin-io-e-zenga-sbancheremo-l-arabia-saudita|title=Italiani all'estero, Cusin 'Io e Zenga sbancheremo l'Arabia Saudita'|date=14 June 2010|website=Calciomercato.com | Tutte le news sul calcio in tempo reale}}

=Al Nasr=

In November 2011 he played in Dubai the "all star" match. A benefit match for the Libyan's Children;{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/libyan-children-benefit-from-dubai-charity-match-1.926517|title=Libyan children benefit from Dubai charity match|date=9 November 2011|website=gulfnews.com}} part of his team were Materazzi, Zanetti, Madjer, Koller, Muntasser, Nedved, Pires, Fadiga, Zwey, Aboud and Zenga.

On 23 December 2011, during the derby of Dubai against Al Wasl, Cusin met the Argentinian Football Legend Diego Maradona ( Coach of Al Wasl), the match finish 2–2.

In January 2012, During the African Cup of Nation 2012 he worked as the "expert of the African Football" for the famous Italian Calciomercato.com.{{Cite web|url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/coppa-d-africa-2012-delusione-senegal-zambia-outsider-msakni-da--265222|title=Coppa d'Africa 2012, Cusin a CM: 'Zambia outsider. Msakni, che giocatore!'|date=27 January 2012|website=Calciomercato.com | Tutte le news sul calcio in tempo reale}} At the beginning of the competition he declared that the Zambia national team was the serious outsider for the title; Zambia won the African Champion in February 2012.{{Cite web|url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/coppa-d-africa-cusin-a-cm-lo-zambia-non-e-solo-kalaba-e-mayuka-697172|title=Coppa d'Africa, Cusin: 'Caccia all'affare, lo Zambia non è solo Kalaba-Mayuka'|date=14 February 2012|website=Calciomercato.com | Tutte le news sul calcio in tempo reale}}

=Ahli al Khalil – Palestine 2015=

Then, Ahli al Khalil were promoted to the Palestinian Cup Final, after a victory against the current holders, Taraji Wad al-Nis, who played at the AFC Cup this season. They won also the last Derby against Shabab (the city rival), becoming one of the best teams in the league.{{cite web|url=http://www.babagol.net/2015/05/cattenacio-palestino-interview-with.html|title=Cattenacio Palestino – an Interview with Stefano Cusin|publisher=babagol.net|date=4 May 2015|access-date=5 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091114/http://www.babagol.net/2015/05/cattenacio-palestino-interview-with.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

A team of 30 people including Italian football manager Stefano Cusin, 21 football players and technical, administrative and press members entered Gaza, after both teams were given the necessary permission while crossing the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to play in the Palestinian Cup.{{cite web|url=https://news.vice.com/article/the-west-banks-soccer-team-hasnt-played-in-gaza-in-15-years-thats-about-to-change|title=The West Bank's Soccer Team Hasn't Played in Gaza in 15 Years. That's About to Change.|publisher=vice.com|date=5 August 2015}}

The first game between the two teams was played at Yarmouk Stadium in Gaza on Thursday and the match ended 0-0. Around 7,000 fans packed Gaza's Yarmouk stadium, which was decked with Palestinian national flags.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/west-bank-ahli-plays-historic-draw-gaza-150806180959246.html|title=West Bank's Ahli plays out historic draw in Gaza|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=7 August 2015}}

The return match, originally scheduled on 9 August, was postponed to 14 August, due irregularities on some visas of four players and three executives of Shujaiyeh. The "historic match" eventually ended and was won by Ahli al-Khalil coached from Italian Stefano Cusin. The team of Hebron beat 2-1 Ittihad Shujaiyeh of Gaza, with the winning goal scored in the first minute of extra-time, on free kick, by Ahmad Maher.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Estero/15-08-2015/cusin-fa-storia-palestina-il-suo-ahli-al-khalil-120950929794.shtml|title=Cusin fa la storia in Palestina con il suo Ahli al-Khalil |publisher=gazzetta.it|date=15 August 2015}}

While Ahli Al-Khalil's small stadium was overflowing with fans, hundreds of thousands watched on television and bustling Gaza fell quiet as Shejaia supporters willed their team on from afar in cafes and restaurants.{{cite web|url=http://www.albawaba.com/sport/ahli-al-khalil-beat-shejaia-win-palestine-cup-730946|title=Video: Ahli Al-Khalil beat Shejaia to win Palestine Cup|publisher=albawaba.com|date=15 August 2015}}

On 11 September 2015 Stefano and his team gained their fourth trophy in just eight months by beating 3-2 the Shabab Aldahreya opponent, granting him the victory of Supercup for West Bank Clubs.{{cite web|url=http://www.goalzz.com/main.aspx?region=-6&team=7420&tg=1670|title=Match Results|publisher=goalzz.com}}

After this great period Stefano Cusin, has decided to stop for personal reasons his experience by thanking players, staff, supporters and everybody involved in the team.{{cite web|url=http://sport.repubblica.it/news/sport/calcio-cisgiordania-ahli-al-khalil-cusin-si-dimette/4602551|title=CALCIO, CISGIORDANIA; AHLI AL-KHALIL: CUSIN SI DIMETTE|publisher=repubblica.it|date=3 October 2015}}

On 19 October 2015, he enrolled in the "First Class Coach – UEFA Pro" course.{{cite web|url=http://www.settoretecnico.figc.it/news.aspx?c=3&sc=15&ssc=36&n=93704|title=CMASTER UEFA PRO: COMINCIA OGGI IL NUOVO CORSO|publisher=settoretecnico.figc.it|date=19 October 2015}}

=Al Shaab=

In his debut vs Dibba Al-Fujairah Club in President Cup, he won an important match by 4–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportstats.com/soccer/united-arab-emirates/presidents-cup-2015-2016/dibba-al-fujairah-al-shaab-UoyQszkP/#away-stats|title=Dibba Al Fujairah – Al Shaab (Soccer, Presidents Cup 2015/2016)|publisher=sportstats.com|date=26 February 2016}}

=Wolverhampton Wanderers=

On 30 July 2016, the English club announces Stefano Cusin as vice of Walter Zenga.{{cite web|url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/news-club-finalises-key-appointments-3227868.aspx|title=NEWS – Club Finalises Key Appointments|publisher=wolves.co.uk|date=5 August 2016}} The transfer was possible through Jorge Mendes, the famous football agent. Cusin signs a contract that binds him to Wolves until 30 June 2017.

The debut was against Rotherham, with a draw of 2-2, on 6 August 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36929897|title=Rotherham United 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers – BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=6 August 2016}}

The highlights of the season were the home victory on 13 August against Reading (2-0),{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36993965|title=Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Reading |publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 August 2016}} and away wins on 20 August against Birmingham (1-3){{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37067354|title=Birmingham City 1-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers |publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 August 2016}} and on 17 September defeating Newcastle (0-2), team that after will win the Championship later that year, in front of an audience of 52000.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37324949|title=Newcastle United 0-2 Wolves |publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 September 2016}}

In September 2016 Cusin got UEFA PRO License by presenting his thesis entitled "Coaching abroad in the world".{{cite web|url=http://www.figc.it/en/204/2533882/2016/09/News.shtml|title=Figc News – Master UEFA Pro|publisher=figc.it|date=7 September 2016}}

=Black Leopards=

On 4 July 2018, the South African team have appointed Stefano Cusin as club's new technical director.{{cite web|url=http://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/black-leopards-appoints-new-technical-director/|title=Black Leopards appoints new technical director |publisher=sabcnews.com|date=4 July 2018}}

During his first press conference, Cusin said that he will make a contribution to the club in terms of growth and improvement of results, trying to emphasize the African style of play rather than following the European one.{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/87481/stefano-cusin-promote-african-style-blac|title=Stefano Cusin to promote African style at Black Leopards |publisher=kickoff.com|date=9 July 2018}}

=Managerial record=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
rowspan="2" \|Team ! rowspan="2" \|Nat ! rowspan="2" \|From ! rowspan="2"\|To ! colspan="5" \|Record !rowspan=2\|{{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
{{Tooltip\|G\|Games managed}} !{{Tooltip\|W\|Games won}} !{{Tooltip\|D\|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip\|L\|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip\|Win %\|Winning percentage}}
align="left"\|Comoros \|align="center"\| \|align="center"\|2 October 2023 \|align="center"\|present {{WDL\|22\|10\|5\|7}} \|
colspan=4 \| Career Total {{WDLtot\|22\|10\|5\|7}} !—

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan="2" |Team

! rowspan="2" |Nat

! rowspan="2" |From

! rowspan="2"|To

! colspan="5" |Record

!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}

!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}