Italy

Antonio Conte may leave Italy Football before Euro 2016

Standard

After being appointed as the replacement for Cesare Prandelli only in the summer, there have been several reports that Italy manager Antonio Conte would resign even before the next round of Euro 2016 qualifying matches.

The former Juventus manager has been regarded as one of the brightest in Italy football at this age.Conte has been reportedly unhappy with the way Italian clubs have not supported him. According to close sources,Conte feels that Italian Serie A clubs can do a lot more when it comes to giving him the players that he needs in order to get the results with Italy.

Conte me have managed five victories and one draw from his six matches, but his future is seemingly under doubt. However, he has brushed aside any rumours by confirming that he intends to see his contract with the national team. Continue reading

Antonio Conte to coach Italy

Standard

The resignation of Cesare Prandelli from the managerial position of the Italian national side allowed Antonio Conte to take the chance of coaching a nation; this is something that Conte had never done before in his career.

Conte took up the coaching position of Italy on August 14 of the ongoing year and so far things have been going splendid for the former manager of Juventus as his career in charge of the Italian nation kicked off with a victory over Netherlands in a friendly match and the positive results have continued on with Italy claiming 3 victories in the 3 opening matches of the 2016 Euro’s qualifiers.

Before Antonio Conte was delegated with the coaching role of Italy, he had already finished guiding Juventus to their 3rd consecutive league title and the contributions of Conte are being noticed by FIFA as the football governing authority included Antonio Conte in the shortlist of managers that have been nominated on winning the 2014 Coach of the Year award.

“I am honored to be included as one of those nominated for the 2014 FIFA Coach of the Year award. Because it represents on the one hand recognition for the work, but on the other hand a further incentive to do well at the helm of the national team.

“My candidacy and also that of Carlo Ancelotti also confirms the value of the coaching school at Coverciano, demonstrating that our football is still alive and is able to convey innovative ideas and win.” Antonio Conte commented in a statement which was released through the Italian Football Federation’s website.

Antonio Conte will be competing against: Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, Diego Simeone and a number of other high profile and highly rated coaches for the FIFA 2014 Coach of the Year silverware.

INZAGHI BACKS EL SHAARAWY

Standard

AC Milan manager Filippo Inzaghi says that he expects to see striker Stephan El Shaarawy amongst the best in the world in the next few years. The Italian international was touted as one of the next big things in world football a few years ago, but the presence of big-name players like Mario Balotelli ahead of him in the pecking order limited his first-team opportunities. Still just 21 years old, the striker has a lot of time to find his feet. After AC Milan signed Fernando Torres on a two-year loan deal from Chelsea in the summer, it was speculated that El Shaarawy’s first-team opportunities would be reduced even more. Continue reading