Antonio Conte head coach of Italy gestures during the EURO quarter final match against Germany.
Antonio Conte far exceeded
expectations with a limited Italy squad at Euro 2016 and the coach, who
is heading for pastures new at English club Chelsea, is likely to prove a
tough act for replacement Giampiero Ventura to follow.
Conte managed to unite the initially sceptical Italian public around
his team who knocked out title-holders Spain before taking world
champions Germany to a penalty shootout which they lost 6-5 in
Saturday's quarter-final.
The fiery coach used a combination of tactical nous and his renowned
motivational powers to get the most from a team which was widely
regarded, in terms of pure footballing talent, as the weakest to have
represented Italy in many years.
"My only regret is to have only worked for a few days with a coach like Conte," midfielder Marco Parolo said.
"We created a team that others fear, a team with no fixed points,
where a player who is moved to another position always knows what he has
to do, whether it's in the midfield, in defence or attack."
"I'm happy that I was able to share the mentality of the coach who
has taught us so much and makes you feel sure of what you do. I've never
come across a coach like him."
Ventura, a seasoned club coach who has never won a major trophy, will
have to try and rebuild the team with limited resources while competing
in a World Cup qualifying group that includes Spain and Euro 2016
finalists Albania.
Antonio Conte, right, head coach of Italy talks to Gianluigi Buffon.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon,
38, has indicated he would like to continue for at least another two
years although he has a ready-made replacement in Gianluigi Donnarumma
who is already AC Milan's first choice at the age of 17.
The three-man BBC defence of Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and
Giorgio Chiellini, the foundation of Conte's team, has a combined age of
95 and will also have to be slowly replaced.
Midfielder Daniele De Rossi, sorely missed when he was ruled out of
the Germany game through injury, is another who cannot go on for ever.
Ventura, 68, cannot match Conte's high-energy performances on the
touchline although he has a good reputation for helping young players
develop and has promising players to work with.
There is still a feeling, however, that with Italy struggling to
produce truly outstanding players, Conte had merely papered over the
cracks.
Conte and predecessor Cesare Prandelli complained that the national
team is only remembered once every two years, when major tournaments
come around, and Conte could not resist a parting shot.
"I have never felt that I had any support, I have only ever had the
president on my side," he said. "I always felt that I had to fight the
wars on my own.
"I hope that what we did can be built upon and that in future we can
give more space to the national team. I can't deny that there have been
moments where I have wanted the chance to continue but I was faced with
certain events that I could not ignore."
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