Sheffield Wednesday supporters still reminisce about the dazzling displays of Benito Carbone, the 5’6″ Italian magician who arrived at Hillsborough in 1996 from Inter Milan in a then-club-record £3m deal.
The flair and technical brilliance he transferred over from I Nerazzurri made him an instant fan favorite, and his impact on the Owls was undeniable.
Carbone wasted no time in making an impact.
His debut season saw Wednesday secure a seventh-place finish in the Premier League, and with the little man weaving his magic in midfield, he managed to score six goals and set up just as many.
As per an interview with The Guardian, Carbone has openly admitted that leaving Sheffield Wednesday was a mistake.
His affection for the club has never faded, and he has previously expressed his dream of returning—not as a player, but as a manager.
Benito Carbone admits leaving Sheffield Wednesday was a mistake
Upon leaving Wednesday in 1999 Carbone said, “something was broken between me and Danny Wilson, the new manager. We had an argument.”
“I never wanted to leave Sheffield.
“Even now, a generation later, you’d never expect the fans to recognise you. But I went back for a charity game, over 20 years after I left, and the crowd went crazy for me.
“Danny Wilson was there. I picked him up and told him I wanted to say sorry. I was really young. My head was different. It was my mistake, definitely.”
After Wednesday, Carbone moved to Aston Villa, and he would play a starring role in getting The Villains to the FA Cup final in 2000, after scoring a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Leeds in the fifth round and the winner in the quarter-finals against Everton.
He only played 24 times for the West Midlands outfit before having further stints in England with Bradford City, Derby County, and Middlesborough. Yet it is the South Yorkshire side where his heart is most fond of.
* Benito Carbone’s stats in English Football, according to FBREF
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheffield Wednesday | 96 | 25 | 18 |
| Aston Villa | 24 | 3 | 5 |
| Bradford City | 42 | 10 | 7 |
| Derby County | 13 | 1 | 3 |
| Middlesbrough | 13 | 1 | 5 |
Benito Carbone dreams of returning to Sheffield Wednesday – to manage
After retiring in 2011, Carbone turned his attention to management with Pavia – where he was playing, in the same year.
It is at the Milanese club where he earned the nickname “Harry Potter”, with fans in awe at how Carbone worked his magic both on the pitch and at the helm to save the club from relegation to Serie D.
Currently back at I Nerazzurri as head coach of Inter Milan’s Under-18s side, Carbone hopes to one day go back to where it all began in England, to manage Sheffield Wednesday.
In an earlier interview with William Hill, he said: “Of course, if one day I do become manager of Sheffield Wednesday, it would be my dream.”
“But I just really want to coach in England; I have had job offers in Italy and turned them down, managing here is my priority. It’s not important about which league in England I go to. I’m not stupid; I know I won’t be able to manage a Premier League team now, it’s not that easy.
“The most important thing for me is the project of the club, and being able to build something with the club over two or three years. It therefore doesn’t matter which club it is. I want to show people in England that I’m ready.
“The players in England work like I want to work; they share the same mentality. I just need to be patient, which isn’t my best skill, but I’m trying!”
Benito Carbone still has the mentality of an icon
While Sheffield Wednesday continues its journey in English football, Carbone’s name remains etched in the hearts of supporters. His dazzling performances and enduring love for Hillsborough ensure that his legacy will never be forgotten.
Whether his dream of a managerial return ever materialises remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Benito Carbone will always be remembered as one of Sheffield Wednesday’s most gifted players.
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