In the early 2000's, Luciano Zauri's name was synonymous with Serie A. Lazio, Atalanta, Sampdoria, the then fullback was a virtual ever-present in Italy's top-flight for almost two decades.

Now 46, Zauri is four years into a new coaching career, which has now led him to Malta and Hamrun Spartans. Zauri making the move after taking charge of one of his former clubs, Pescara, where he spent over three years during two different spells.

With Lazio, Zauri enjoys legend status, having spent ten years with the Romans and also captaining the club. Zauri always enjoyed a close relationship with the Lazio support and it was with the Romans that he earned a Coppa Italia winner's medal in 2004.

Before then, Zauri had established himself as one of the brightest young defensive talents to emerge in Italy while with Atalanta. With La Dea, he would spend seven years before joining Lazio in 2003 for almost €6m.

Between training sessions in Malta, Tribalfootball.com was able to catch-up with Zauri to discuss his work with Hamrun, his playing career and also what he makes of the progress of his former clubs today.

Luciano, you played for some iconic clubs and with some great players, what are your favourite memories?

“Yes I have played in different and important teams, but I would choose three teams that have been the most important for me.

"The first is Atalanta because I have played there for 13 years since when I was 12 years old, that team created the base for my career. The second one is Lazio because that team gave me the opportunity to play in important competitions like the Champions League, also I had the honour to be the captain of the team and that team and that city gave me a lot and helped me a lot.

"The last one is Pescara because I stayed there a year and a half as a player and afterwards they gave me the possibility to start my journey as a coach. I am very grateful to them for the opportunity they gave to me and that helped me to become the person I am today."

You had such a great reputation across Europe, but only ever played in Italy...

“At the moment I was renewing my contract with Lazio, West Ham looked for me, but at that point I was very close to signing my renewal. West Ham had asked for some information about me but nothing happened.

"But I want to add that also my objective and desire was to renew my contract with Lazio - so I was not interested going there. But one thing, if I would have went abroad I would have this advantage to be better in my English and that would help me a lot in my career now as a coach. But I am getting better at it!"

Any football regrets not going abroad?

“I had the chance and possibility to play in Serie A in the period when there were the best players in the world and the most talented ones. I had the honour to play with these great players also in the Italian national team.

"We can mention players like Del Piero, Pirlo, Totti etc. And regarding the strongest players I have played against I would mention Zidane, Rui Costa, Batistuta, Del Piero etc. But of course, I have to say, there's just too many to mention."

So what about today's Lazio and the work of Maurizio Sarri?

“Based on the result of last season for me it was very difficult to repeat the same results or to be better than the second place of last season in Serie A. Instead, in the Champions League they are playing well and have qualified from their group stage. But in Serie A they have not been stable, they have produced in some matches good performances and in others bad performances. Also this season Ciro Immobile has not been like in the past and this has affected the team also.

“Lazio also has the other striker Castellanos, who is doing well we should not forget that this is his first year in Italy. Regarding Immobile nobody should discuss his qualities and what he has done for Lazio, but if you are an important team and have important objectives you cannot rely on only one player. You should always search for the best in every role. And if you find an important player for an attacking position you should buy him and give him an opportunity."

Atalanta and Gian Piero Gasperini continue to defy the doubters, don't they?

“Bergamo is a fantastic city and they've welcomed me since when I was a kid. My family and I are very close to the city and my parents live nearby Bergamo. I remember with pleasure my time there, the matches I have played with Atalanta and every time I can I return, I go to watch the matches of Atalanta.

“They are a team which despite every year selling important players, they remain fighting to qualify for Europe through a beautiful style of play. They have a certainty who is Gasperini who every year creates a fantastic team with young talented players."

You had a year with Fiorentina, what have you made of the work of Vincenzo Italiano?

“Last year Fiorentina had a fantastic season, despite the fact that in the end they lost the two finals. This year they are confirming themselves, they are in fourth position and this demonstrates that everyone is doing a great job at the club. I want to make my compliments to the players for their performances, the coach for his philosophy of playing and how he passes it onto the players and also to the club for the investment they are doing not only for the club but also for the city."

But what of Sampdoria and last season's relegation?

“Last year they had a lot of problems, not only on the pitch but mainly financial problems that affected all the performances and results of the team. This year they decided to create a new project with Pirlo as their main character, who for me is a good coach, as he demonstrated with Juventus.

"In the beginning they had some difficulties and the results were not coming, but now it seems different despite the fact that they have not been stable. I think the objective of Sampdoria this year is to achieve the playoffs and then see what may happen."

And what have made of Serie A this season?

"The surprises in a positive way for me are Bologna, Fiorentina, Lecce and Frosinone who are having a very good season and playing very well. Regarding the surprises in a negative way for me are Roma and Lazio, which based on the qualities they have, we were expecting from them more. But they have not been stable and this has affected their position in the league."

Before our farewell, you're now well into your first season with Hamrun, what are your ambitions for yourself and the team?

"All the experiences are very good and important and I have learned a lot from them and have helped me a lot to get better. My objective as a coach is to improve, to raise my level and to train in the best leagues in Europe.

"I am a very optimistic person who sees always the positive thing and I am very happy to be in Malta to coach here and for the future let's see what will happen..."