Former Italy national team coach Cesare Prandelli has expressed concerns about Italy’s future in international football, warning that the team risks missing out on the World Cup if systemic changes are not implemented.
In a recent interview with ilfattoquotidiano.it, Prandelli, who led Italy from 2010 to 2014, shared his thoughts on the current state of Italian football following the conclusion of Euro 2024. He praised Spain’s approach to maintaining their football culture, stating, “Spain is the only national team that has the strength to respect its culture. It starts with children and continues until you have the strength to stay on the field. Other national teams are the result of a globalization process: everyone plays the same way. We have less fun.”
Turning his attention to Italy, Prandelli emphasized the need for collaboration between the federation and the league: “For the federation and league, the time has come to sit around a table and consider the problem. The national team is the most important team, and we need to create a system. As long as the most important institutions pursue only their own interests, we won’t go anywhere.”
Prandelli warned of the risk of Italy missing a third consecutive World Cup, saying, “If a system is not created, the risk is well-founded.” He also reflected on his own resignation after Italy’s elimination from the 2014 World Cup group stage in Brazil, explaining, “I stepped aside because it seemed right and necessary to me.”
