A few days after Italy’s ugly elimination from Euro24 at the hands of Switzerland, he spoke to Corriere della Sera, CONI President Giovanni Malagò: “Elimination against Switzerland? The scene seemed unbelievable to me: the players on the pitch conveyed a feeling of frustration and humiliation. It seemed like they didn’t even notice, because usually when you’re in trouble you get carried away by the competitive spirit, but instead they were really amorphous. They never gave the impression of putting their heart and soul into it. I felt like I was on Candid Camera”.
Is Spalletti responsible?
“Of course, after all he was honest in admitting that he was wrong and that the job of a selector is different from that of a coach. His resignation? Those who are now calling for it forget that last year he considered Spalletti the best coach available. If Luciano now says he is ready to get back in the game to show that he can get better results, who should make the decision to replace him? The federal leaders who are the first to be questioned?”
Have you heard Gravina?
“Of course, I took the liberty of telling him that he could not prolong this situation over time: the air has become unbreathable. Before this national tragedy, the federal elections should have been held between February and March of next year. Instead, he called them in November, at the first available date. Those who ask for resignation must know that, when a president leaves, the council falls, which, pending new elections within ninety days, exercises the functions of ordinary administration. Whoever arrives will take his responsibilities and decide whether to give confidence to Spalletti or make other evaluations”
What advice do you give to the next federal president?
“Whoever holds that position in the future must understand that without the necessary compromise they will find themselves having to argue with some member. I want to point out that despite the successes of the Italy Under 17 and Under 19 teams at the European Championships and the final at the Under 20 World Cup, the Under 21 team did not qualify for the Olympics and the senior team failed in Germany: that must mean something.”