New Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has vowed to lead the Azzurri into a "positive" new era following their early World Cup exit in South Africa.
Prandelli officially succeeded Marcello Lippi as coach on Thursday on a four-year contract, with his first match against the Ivory Coast on 10 August.
And despite World Cup draws with Paraguay and New Zealand and a defeat by Slovakia, Prandelli is optimistic.
"I want to transform the negativity into something positive," he said.
"What has happened has happened. I hope to organise a team based on real human values. There are difficulties, but I want to start off right, with determination and the will to do well.
"I don't have any recipes at the moment, just the will to start well."
 |
PAUL FLETCHER'S BLOG
|
Prandelli, a former Atalanta and Juventus midfielder, agreed to take over the Italian national job in May following successful periods as manager of Parma, Roma and a five-year stint at Fiorentina.
But the 52-year-old was keen to pay tribute to his predecessor Lippi, who led Italy to World Cup glory in 2006 but was unable to prevent their embarrassing group-stage exit in South Africa.
"I want to salute Marcello Lippi, who is a World Cup-winning coach," said Prandelli. "He leaves a certain mentality behind, the players are attached to the shirt, and we have to restart from this.
"It's a programme that involves everyone - players, staff and even the media."
Looking ahead to the Ivory Coast match in August in London, he added: "I am thinking about the first call-ups for the game. It would be nice to see good games, as well as the possibility to improve as we go on.
"I wanted to avoid naming names because it's not fair. Those who will get called are those who deserve to be here.
"It will also be based on respect and roles. I hope to take quality players with me."
Highlights - Slovakia 3-2 Italy
No comments:
Post a Comment