‘I thought Dee could win the league’: Bonetti

“W E we r e ready to see Du ndee ret u rn to greatness.”

That was the dream of Dario and Ivano Bonetti as they embarked on a two-year rollercoaster in charge at Dens Park 20 years ago today.

The arrival of a two-time Serie A winner as manager in Ivano and a Uefa Cup winner – as well as twice European Cup runner up – in older brother Dario as assistant heralded much glitz and glamour.

International icons would don the dark blue and give Dundee fans eternal memories of some of the greatest players ever to call Dens Park home.

However, the financial excess that funded the Bonetti revolution ultimately caught up with the club and plunged it into administration in 2003, a year after their departure.

Speaking exclusively to Tele Sport, former Roma, Milan, Juventus and Italy centre-back Dario recalled his and brother Ivano’s eventful two years in the City of Discovery.

“It was a wonderful time in our lives but we are very sad for what has happened in the 15 years since,” he said.

“We are happy because we presented great players for the fans.

“Dundee had great potential. “There were a lot of fans and they were extraordinary fans – it was one of the best places possible to build a great team.

“The club had a very important football history and the people wanted to see good football.

“I thought Dundee could go on to win the Scottish league but it needed the technical program to become i nternational and to become competitive.

“Around Europe, Dundee had a great opportunity to buy important players. We wanted to bring young players on free transfers, they help the club win something, and then sell on to bring the club money.

“For this you did not just need money but it is important to have the i dea and you needed the contacts to build a great team.”

The Bonetti era began on the pitch on July 29, 2000, at Motherwell.

Predictably, there was a Continental feel to the scoreline