Guardiola ct of'Italy: an Azzurra legend endorses
The debate on the new technical commissioner of the Italian national team continues after the farewell of Gennaro Gattuso following the failure to qualify for the World Cup. While traghettatore Silvio Baldini in a few weeks will issue the list of summoned players for the friendly matches in June, there are still questions about the Pep Guardiola suggestion, first launched by Leonardo Bonucci.
Even a great world champion like Beppe Bergomi has had his say: “I have my idea, Bonucci has also said it: if we want to change, we have to change. Which coaches are the most popular? The Spaniards. Guardiola, Luis Enrique, Fabregas… We have to change,” the Inter flag bearer said at the presentation of the new edition of the Franco Chignoli memorial.
“Then the federal president can be Malagò, I respect him. But we must have the courage to make reforms. And to change: in doing so we need patience and ideas. We are not going to the World Cup, but we could have gone there with what we have: with Bosnia, with Macedonia, with Sweden, we could have gone there anyway.”
Among the names on the list of candidates is also that of Claudio Ranieri, the former Roma manager has nominated himself: “In June I said no because I was busy with Roma, now I am free. Never say never. “If you are called you have to answer yes and that’s it,” the Testaccino coach told Sky.
There is no shortage, however, of voices against the hypothesis of a foreign technical commissioner. Former AC Milan champion Gianni Rivera bluntly panned the idea in an interview with AS: “Guardiola? No, please. He is not Italian. He has to be Italian. Period. It is logical, because he knows the reality better than those from outside. You have to choose very well. Have a criterion and be precise. Other mistakes no, please.” Rivera also offered his own contribution to the reconstruction of the movement: “It was logical and normal that all the federal leadership resigned. Now we need to rebuild it, but we need people who know how to move in this world of soccer. I already have a program ready and I’m here if necessary.”
On the same wavelength was José Mourinho, speaking on the sidelines of an event in Milan: “I don’t agree: I don’t think we need a foreign coach. Italy has coaches with the charisma, the quality, the experience… You can’t have Ancelotti, but you can have Allegri, Conte, and there would certainly be others.” The Special One then indicated his preferred solution: “I would go with the M&M combo: Malagò and Max,” referring to Allegri. Mourinho also stressed the need to intervene at the grassroots: “I see for example a country like Portugal with 10 million inhabitants: competitions for young people, working conditions… there are incredible differences. Italy needs to think a lot about the grassroots.”
