With Gravina’s resignation increasingly likely, it is impossible to see Rino confirmed on the bench. The two former coaches are first on the list. But there would be another top name, that of Pep Guardiola who frees himself from City
Here we go again. Another failure, yet another search for a new coach. We start again with well-known names. From big. Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte sometimes return: the strong candidates today are the two of them to rebuild Italy. Gattuso, already in Marbella to be with his family, is about to say goodbye: his contract expires in June, with Gravina’s resignation becoming increasingly likely, it will be virtually impossible to see him confirmed on the bench. He and Buffon had a pact: to stay together until June. However, if Gattuso felt tolerated, he could even leave earlier. It wouldn’t be the first time he made a courageous decision, becoming the master of his future.
These are the names
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Given that the players to be called up and fielded were those from Zenica, that we didn’t leave Yamal, Mbappé and Kane at home, that Palestra deserved to be the starter but it’s not like he would have changed everything, the new coach, whoever he is, will start from Gattuso’s list. He will be able to change his tactical system, of course. He will have to subvert the hierarchies: it is not written on the tablets of stone that Barella or Bastoni are the holders regardless, but it would make no sense to throw away the child in the diaper in an iconoclastic rush. The new coach will have to work on other aspects, starting with attitude. It was said that the worst enemy would be fear. Precisely. Bosnia is a proud but normal team. We got to the penalties by defending ourselves, the truest Italy would have passed.
Overcoming fear
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It’s history repeating itself. Inside-outside we panic and suffer, suffer, suffer. Ukraine-Italy 0-0 to go to the European Championship 24 is a suffering, like Croatia-Italy 1-1 last of the group (with a proud ending), and like Switzerland-Italy 2-0 in the round of 16: the match in which we did not enter the field. Finally, Bosnia, faced in our area: ten of us, agreed, but we could have reacted better. The coach will have to give a mentality and ask the clubs – the FIGC, the League – to change the weekly work and that there are new rhythms. Otherwise goodbye ’28, ’30…
Left-handed
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Mancini-Conte head to head. With Mancini the closure was dramatic, with threats of court. The case had been pieced together but, via Gravina, the past would no longer be a problem. A possible successor to Gravina (especially from the Malagò area) can only wait to recall Mancini. The advantage of the European champion coach is that, despite training in Qatar, he can free himself as and when he wants. The question is: which Mancini? The first brilliant visionary champion of Europe or the second unmotivated and with little reading of names and matches? Mancini rebuilt in 2018 and invented the double play and a spectacular Italy, today he should invent new interpreters.
Count
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Not far from Mancini is Conte who in 2016 left the memory of a coach who, with the weakest team in recent years, was about to achieve the feat. At a slight disadvantage for an obvious reason: Napoli. The relationship with De Laurentiis is not idyllic, it would not be a problem to free himself at the end of the season. But the contract is there. Conte should resign and indeed leave at the end of May, to start immediately with the two friendly matches in June. Italy cannot afford to have a “summer” coach who waits for September with the Nations League: it would already be late. We need to see each other face to face and draw up the first strategies. We cannot waste any more time, indeed the next calendar should include a “public health” week for the national team during the season. Are we asking too much?
Guardiola
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The field of candidates is not very wide. Either the top name arrives, but really top, or what would be the point of letting Gattuso go who has created a group and has experience? For many, Allegri would be ideal as coach, but Milan won’t let him go. In Italy there is nothing else at the highest level, after Spalletti has already given and Gasperini is at Roma. The foreign option would remain: in recent years, so to speak, there has only been Herrera but with Valcareggi and for four games. 1960s. And then xenophilia is not the solution. There would only be one name: Pep Guardiola. He will leave City, he has no money problems, he could try the big gamble with the financial help of sponsors. Never possible?
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