FIGC director general Antonello Valentini has described Antonio Conte’s Italy contract signed this morning as ‘innovative’.
FIGC director general Antonello Valentini has described Antonio Conte’s Italy contract signed this morning as ‘innovative’.
The 45-year-old is penning his two-year contract to lead the Azzurri up to June 2016 today, ahead of being presented to the media.
Ahead of that Press conference, the Italian Football Federation’s director general said a few words.
“Conte is signing right now, the lawyers have defined the details and he is now trying on his uniform,” Valentini has told reporters.
“We have already spoken of the first meetings [of national team players] and Conte will define his technical staff this afternoon. We currently lack a goalkeeping Coach, Conte will look around and will decide independently.
“We are organising the trips to Bari [to face Netherlands on September 4] and Norway [on September 9 for the start of Euro 2016 qualifying], which is a very important game.
“He has confirmed that the national team will be called together at Coverciano for September 1.”
Attention is particularly on the involvement national team sponsors Puma now have in agreeing to fund a majority share of Conte’s wages.
“It changes completely the relationship so far that the FIGC has had with the CT – this is an innovative contract that has allowed the Federation the resources to invest and strengthen its relationship with the national team’s sponsor.
“There is a completely new philosophy, whilst for the budget there will be no shocks or changes.
“Conte will assume the role of coordinator of the national youth teams together with that of CT.”