Romano Mattè

Indonesia

Mattè was born in Italy. He was called to Indonesia to direct the Under-18, Under-21, and pre-Olympic selections in the 1990s on a deal between Sampdoria and the Football Association of Indonesia, Matte was in charge of the Garuda for the 1995 Southeast Asian Games, calling up youngsters such as Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto and Kurnia Sandy who later went to Sampdoria through Matte. Assisted by Danurwindo as well as Harry Tjong, the retiree was said to have been paid around 17 million Indonesian rupiahs each month. Recalling his experience there, he admired the locals respect for him and their humility.

Mali

Introduced as Mali Mali national team coach in summer 2000, the Italian stated that football there used to be intertwined with superstition and that clubs had their own witch doctors, appreciating the passion for the sport in the country as well. However, his time there ended early in 2001 and he watched Les Aigles get the better of South Africa 2–0 before going to Italy.