Marcello Lippi insists the fact Antonio Conte is leaving won’t harm Italy’s chances at Euro 2016.
The Azzurri CT has already announced that he’ll step down after the tournament, probably to join English Premier League side Chelsea.
It has been suggested that this could impact negatively on the squad, but the last man to win the World Cup for Italy is confident.
“Now we must only think about the European Championship,” Lippi told Rai Radio.
Marcello Lippi insists the fact Antonio Conte is leaving won’t harm Italy’s chances at Euro 2016.
The Azzurri CT has already announced that he’ll step down after the tournament, probably to join English Premier League side Chelsea.
It has been suggested that this could impact negatively on the squad, but the last man to win the World Cup for Italy is confident.
“Now we must only think about the European Championship,” Lippi told Rai Radio.
“Before the World Cup in 2006 I told the FIGC that I’d be leaving, so whether or not the Coach has said he’ll leave is not decisive.”
The former Juventus Coach then discussed the current Azzurri side and their chances this summer.
“There are a lot of foreigners in Italian football, so it’s not easy for Conte to make a national team, but at the same time there are interesting young players.
“Against Spain I saw a great Italy, the squad was made up of players that were there for the first time and it seemed like they’d been playing together for a long time.
“Italy have won for World Cups, Brazil have five, one of which was won by beating Italy on penalties, so that means Italy are competitive.”
Finally, the veteran tactician discussed his own future.
“When I came back from China I said I didn’t want to Coach,” Lippi recalled.
“Then I realised it was just that I had no desire to stay in China. We’ll see. If something interesting comes along I’ll resume, if not it’s fine.”