Italy may have lost a world-class coach in the form of Antonio Conte after just two years, but they wasted no time in bringing a replacement for the former Juventus manager.

It was especially the need of the hour with the World Cup qualification approaching. After losing to Germany on penalties in the Euro 2016 semifinals, Conte’s time with the national team came to an end. It has been a relatively successful period after having witnessed Italy perform poorly in recent major tournaments. Conte had showed his expertise at international level as well, but it was up to Italian FA to find a worthy successor.

They have gone for the highly experienced Giampiero Ventura in the hope of retaining the conference and moral within the team. Since a number of top coaches like Carlo Ancelotti are tied with club duties, Italy went for Ventura who is currently available after having left Torino towards the end of last season. Torino turned out to be one of the longest jobs for Ventura, as he had not spent more than a couple of years at a club before being on the move. Since starting out as a manager in the 1981 season with Ruentes Rapallo, he has been in charge of numerous clubs like Cagliari, Sampdoria, Udinese, Napoli, and Torino.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be here, but more than anything proud to have been chosen to lead one of the world’s leading national football teams.I also want to thank Antonio Conte, because he’s left me not just a squad but a squad with a great work ethic and that is going to help me.It will give me a small advantage when I begin because, being the national team coach, I know I won’t have the team with me every day,” saidVentura.