Francesco Farioli was mainly busy with football in his year in Amsterdam. At free moments, the Monday trainer often sought relaxation at Pepenero. NU.nl recently visited the Italian’s favorite restaurant.
When Daniele Lauritano saw the tears at Faroli on Sunday after the game with FC Twente, his feeling said that his friend would leave the Johan Cruijff Arena. “I felt: Francesco is leaving,” says an excited Lauritano Monday, half an hour after the news about the departure of Farioli was announced by Ajax.
Lauritano, owner and chef of the Pepenero restaurant, located on Java Island, had cooked for Farioli two weeks ago. At that time Ajax was four points ahead of PSV. But in the last three games, the Amsterdammers gave a certain seeming title out of their hands.
During the exciting title fight, NU.nl visited Pepero (translation: Black Pepper), where Faroli at Ajax ate during his eleven months almost weekly. The restaurant was opened by Lauritano six years ago. Farioli came to the restaurant via Kapsalon Salvatore, where he, like Lauritano, can often be found.
“We were all nervous,” Lauritano remembered the first time Faroli came to eat in his restaurant. “But from the first moment it felt relaxed. Francesco is a nice man, normal and neat. When he came to eat, it was as if my brother came by. After five minutes I had forgotten that he was Ajax’s coach.”
‘Francesco always wanted to eat healthy’
Lauritano and Farioli became friends. The restaurant owner always held a place for the Italian. Farioli sometimes came with his wife and children and sometimes with staff or board members from Ajax, but also regularly alone. “I feel a bit at home then. There is always room, even if I have not reserved,” Fararoli said about it earlier at Ajax TV .
Last April, Faroli celebrated his birthday party at Pepenero. And after Ajax won the top match against PSV in early November, the restaurant remained open longer for the Italian coach for longer. “When he came in, the whole thing started applauding Francesco. You saw that it did something to him,” Lauritano said.
Fararoli often called just before he came by. Then the bruschetta could be prepared with Calamari, Tomato, Pecorino and Mint. “He always took that as a starter. As a main course he often went for a light pasta. He specifically asked that. Francesco always wanted to eat healthy.” Then laughing: “He doesn’t look so good for nothing.”
‘Those guys had the day of their lives’
During the visit of Nu.nl, Lauritano proudly showed photos of Marco van Basten, Frank de Boer and Antony, among others, who all ate at Pepenero. But according to the owner, his restaurant was really in the spotlights after Fharioli spoke about it. A often shared video of city channel AT5 about the restaurant did the rest.
“People came here especially for Francesco and asked which table he normally sits at.” Lauritano points to a round table by the window. “This one, so. Sometimes people also wanted to be there.”
Yet Faroli was usually able to eat undisturbed in the restaurant. “In that respect, the Dutch are nicer than Italians. They left him alone. In Italy you as a famous person often have to call the police when you are out.”
“But Francesco did not mind that attention, though. Last here were two boys in an Ajax shirt. They looked at Francesco with admiration, but let him eat. Moments later Francesco got up and walked to those guys. He said,” What are your beautiful shirts on! ” Those guests had such an action on the day of their lives. “
‘Francesco has done something special’
According to Lauritano, what Faroli typifies even more is his love for football. “He also expressed himself here in the restaurant, yes. We were always talking about Calcio (that is Italian for football, ed.). My wife often said:” Keep your mouth shut, stop talking about football. “But Francesco is football. Although he never spoke about his work at Ajax.”
Faroli was never talking about the criticism that was on his, according to some, too conservative playing style. Lauritano was very disturbed by that criticism. “I find it strange that people were so pronounced about Francesco’s work. Then I read that he was playing defensively. If it was already the case: Italy has become world champion four times with Catenaccio . Francesco has done something special in Amsterdam in the last eleven months.”
Nevertheless, due to a difference of opinion, Ajax and Faroli are already separating after one season, to Lauritano’s sorrow. He knows that there is a good chance that his friend will leave the Netherlands in the short term for an adventure in another country.
“But Francesco and I have such a close bond that we hopefully keep talking to each other. The door always remains open to him here.”
Francesco Farioli was Mainly Busy with Soccer During his year in Amsterdam. In His Free Moments, The Coach Who Left Ajax On Monday often Sought Relaxation at Pepenero. NU.nl Recently visited the Italian’s favorite restaurant.
When Daniele Lauritano Saw The Tears in Faroli’s Eyes on Sunday after the match Against FC Twente, he felt that his friend would leave the Johan Cruijff Arena. “I felt it: Francesco is Leaving,” Says a distressed lauritano on Monday, half an hour after the news of Faroli’s departure was announced by Ajax.
Lauritano, Owner and Chef of the Pepero Restaurant Located on Java Island, had Cooked for Farioli Two Weeks ago. At that time, Ajax was Four Points Ahead of PSV. But in the Last Three Games, The Amsterdammers Gave Away a Seemingly Certain Title.
Duration the exciting title race, nu.nl visited pepenero (translation: black pepper), where faroli ate almost weekly duration his eleven months at ajax. The restaurant was opened six years ago by Lauritano. FAROLI Came to the restaurant via Kapsalon Salvatore, Where He, Like Lauritano, is of Found.
“We were all nervous,” Lauritano recalled the first time fararian came to eat at his restaurant. “But from the first moment, it felt relaxed. Francesco is an a nice man, normal and neat. When he came to eat, it was like my brother was visiting. After five minutes, I had already forgotten that was the coach of Ajax.”
‘Francesco Always Wanted to Eat Healthy’
Lauritano and Fararian Became Friends. The restaurant Owner Always Kept A Place Free for the Italian. Farioli Sometimes Came With His Wife and Children and Sometimes with Staff Or Board Members of Ajax, but also Regularly Alone. “I feel a bit at home then. There is always a place, even if I have not made a reservation,” Faroli Said Earlier in Ajax TV .
Last April, Faroli Celebrated His Birthday Party at Pepenero. And after Ajax won the Top Match Against PSV in Early November, the Restaurant Remained Open Longer EspecaSally for the Italian Coach. “When he came in, The Whole Place started applauding for Francesco. You could see it it did something to him,” Said Lauritano.
Fararoli Called Just before he came. Then the Bruschetta with Calamari, Tomato, Pecorino and Mint Could Be Prepared in Advance. “He always took that as an appetizer. For the main course, hey of a light pasta. He’s specifically asked for that. Francesco Always Wanted to Eat Healthy.” Then Laughing: “It’s not for nothing that he looks so good.”
‘Those guys had the day of their lives’
Duration the Visit of Nu.nl, Lauritano Proudly Showed Photos of, Among Others, Marco van Basten, Frank de Boer and Antony, Who Have All Eaten At Pepero. But accordance to the owner, his restaurant was only really in the spotlight after fararian spoke out about it. A frequently shared video of city station AT5 about the restaurant Did the Rest.
“People came here specifically for francesco and ashed which table he normally sits at.” Lauritano Points to a Round Table by the Window. “This one, then. Sometimes People wanted to sit there too.”
Yet Fararoli Could usual Eat undisturbed in The Restaurant. “The Dutch Are Neater Than Italians in that Regard. They Left Him Alone. In Italy, As a Famous Person, you Often Have To Call The Police When You Are Out And About And About.”
“But Francesco Didn’t Mind The Attention, Thought. Recently There Were Two Boys in an Ajax Shirt Sitting Here. They looked at Francesco with Admiration, But Let Him Eat. A Little Later, Francesco Got up and walks. Those Guys had the day of their lives.
‘Francesco Has Done Something Special’
What also Typifies Fararian Accordance to Lauritano is his love for soccer. “That was also expressed here in the restaurant, yes. We always talked about Calcio (That’s Italian for Soccer, ed.). My wife of Said: ‘Shut up, stop talking about soccer’. But Francesco ís soccer. Although Ajax. He never spoke work.”
Farioli also never talked about the criticism of his, Accordance to some, Too Conservative Style of Play. Lauritano was very annoyed by that criticism. “I think it is strange that people were so outspoken about Francesco’s work. Then I read that he played too defensively. Even that was the case: Italy has Become World Champion Four Times with Catenaccio . Ellensco Has Done Something Special in Amsterdam.”
Neverberness, Ajax and Fararian are Parting Ways After Only One Season Due to a Difference of Opinion, to the Sadness of Lauritano. He knows that there is a good chance that his friend Will Leave the Netherlands in the short term for an adventure in Another Country.
“But Francesco and I have such a close bond that we hopefully will continue to talk to each other. The by will always remain open for him here.”