Article by George Nistor – published Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 17:29 / Updated Tuesday, October 2025 17:32
Walter Zenga (65 years old) revealed, in the Italian press, the suffering that still marks it, although it happened many years ago. The Italian coach recalled the loss of the father, with whom he had a cold relationship, and the attempt to see for the last time.
It happened in December 2004, while training on the Star in the UEFA Cup, the current Europa League. The Italian later realized that his father was always with him, even if he never showed it throughout his life.
Walter Zenga and the painful relationship with his father
“Uomo Ragno”, as it nicknamed the daily at Gazzetta dello Sport for his spectacular reflexes, told the effort he made to say goodbye and how, from just a few words spoken, after a life in which they did not understand and were distant with each other, he understood that, in fact, the father was looking for him, “Red-blue”.
“The open wound with my father, Alfonso, never closed. I have not spoken for years, too many misunderstandings, too much distance. I played at Europe and World Cup, and he didn't even call me, then I was sick. I was in Bucharest and I ran to Milan. It was then, a few days before he died, when he first told me “I love you!”. Then I realized that although he had been physically absent, he was always present”, Confessed the technician, according to Fan Page publication.
Next, Walter Zenga told how the news found out that the father was on the deathbed:
I was at Bilbao for the decisive match in the UEFA Cup groups, we lost 1-0, but we qualified, so I was very happy. I entered the locker room and received a message from my brother: “Bravo … try to get as soon as possible, my father has counted minutes.” It was Wednesday night, I was in Bilbao, and on Sunday I had the last championship match, in Bucharest, with Alba Iulia, before the winter break in Romania, so I had to return to Bucharest. I made a prayer, hoping to find it in life. After the match with Alba Iulia, which, by the way, I won 3-0, but I was eliminated, I took a private plane with my wife and went to Milan.
– Walter Zenga, former coach Steaua
Zenga, during the period spent at the former Steaua București
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Zenga was appointed coach at Steaua in the summer of 2004, after the period spent at FC National. Under his command, the “red-blue” won the championship in 2005 and reached the optimals of the UEFA Cup. He was dismissed in May 2005, due to misunderstandings with Gigi Becali.
Zenga's father knew everything about the son's performance
Zenga arrived in time to say goodbye and to hear a few words that have completely changed his perception of his father.
“I arrived at the hospital, I went straight to him. He was in bed, with the oxygen mask. He took his mask, looked at me and told me: «Hey, you start to be good! You eliminated Bilbao, you qualified, a historical result, you are first in the standings, you won 3-0. Now go, I'm tired. See you tomorrow”. Then he put his mask in place … and I didn't see him before, because in the morning he died, that is during the night.
Then I understood that he had always been present. Not for what he told me, but because I felt that he had always been there, even if not physically. He was thinking about the day of the match, as it will be, maybe he said “I hope to go well.” That's what he torn down. Parents are always present. I feel it now, as a parent. Then I realized that, although he had been physically absent, he was always present ”, the former goalkeeper added.
Zenga is waiting to return to the Technical Bank, after his last experience as Brand Ambassador and Club Manager at Siracusa Calcio, concluded in July. The former great goalkeeper of Inter, Sampdoria and the Italian national, is currently an analyst TV on Sky Sport.
Walter Zenga has trained, throughout his career, at FC National (2002-2004), Steaua București (2004-2005), Red Steaua Belgrade (2005-2006), Gazantepspor (2006-2007), Al-Ain (2007), Dinamo Bucharest (2007), Catania (2008-2009), Palermo (2009), Al-Nats. (2010-2011), Al-Nasr Dubai (2011-2013), Al-Jazira (2013-2014), Sampdoria (2015), Al-Shaab (2016), Wolverhampton (2016), Crotone (2017-2018), Venezia (2019), Cagliari (2020) and Al-Nasr SC (Dubai, 2021-2022).
As a player, he won a Scudetto (1988-1989) with Inter Milan, a Super Cup of Italy (1989) and two UEFA cups (1990-1991, 1993-1994). As a coach, he conquered the Romanian championship with Steaua (2004-2005), that of Serbia and Montenegro (2005-2006) with Red Star Belgrade, respectively a cup.
With the national of Italy, for which he has 58 selections, the goalkeeper obtained the 3rd place at the 1990 World Championship, and was a European Youth Vice -Champion in 1986.
