Fabio Celestini makes positive first impression

Fabio Celestini spoke well, didn’t he?

Those who are aware of Adam Hurrey’s sterling work on the Football Clichés Podcast will understand that reference. If not, it’s basically a tongue-in-cheek nod to the usual reaction we see to a manager’s press conference, usually their first.

A manager’s unveiling has to have gone spectacularly badly for them to make a bad first impression, given that’s their opportunity - not burdened by a bad run of results - to lay out their hopes, dreams, philosophies and so on.

It’s their chance to look forward and outline what they want to do, rather than being quizzed about why things are going wrong, so naturally they should come across well.

After all, anyone can say the right things. Doing them is an altogether different matter.

Nevertheless, this was still a positive first impression of the new man in the Turf Moor dugout.

This wasn’t the first time we’ve heard from the Swiss coach, of course. A lengthy in-house video was released by the club on Friday, while he undertook his post-match press duties after Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Portsmouth.

But this afternoon was the first opportunity us guys in the press had to sit down with him in a more relaxed environment and engage his brain.

Firstly, what came across loud and clear is what a passionate, engaging and charismatic character he is.

Does that count for anything? Not if the results don’t follow, of course. But it absolutely does if he can get the players on side and get them all pulling in the same direction.

I especially liked his pledge to be authentically him.

“Because I'm a Latin guy, I like smiling,” he said.

“Maybe I just must be authentic, because I'm like that. It was easy for me too, just to be myself.

“Sometimes, you must adapt a little bit. But I think these three or four days, with my energy, the energy for the staff, we have the team to be more close and more together.”

That last comment seemed especially pointed, because it wasn’t the only reference he made to the players and staff needing to be closer together and communicate more effectively.

Of course, what makes Celestini likeable and endearing at this moment in time could well become predictable and tiresome in a few months’ time, that’s just the nature of the beast when we’re hearing from the same person every few days.

But he’s certainly got something about him, a naturally positive and enthusiastic energy and boy, does this squad need that at this moment in time.

He answered questions openly and honestly. His response to a question referencing his lack of experience of the English game was particularly noteworthy, suggesting he’s aware of the narrative surrounding his appointment.

His assessment of Burnley’s struggles this season was also bang on the money, essentially: “lots and lots of little problems”, as opposed to one big major flaw.

It was also interesting how Celestini openly talked about the long-term objective being to make Burnley a stable Premier League club again, avoiding the yo-yoing of recent years. There was no talk of firefighting or survival, this appears to be a long-term “project” in mind.

Easy to say, of course, slightly more difficult to do.

As always, the proof will be in the pudding. But so far, so good.