FIGC commissioner Roberto Fabbricini confirms Luigi Di Biagio will return to the Italy Under-21s after Roberto Mancini was appointed as CT.
The former midfielder took the team for the March friendlies with Argentina and England, but will now return to his role as Coach of the Azzurrini.
“We must be grateful for those who put their souls into what they do,” Fabbricini began today’s Press conference by saying.
“Thank you to Di Biagio, because he led the national team in two important games, away from home.
FIGC commissioner Roberto Fabbricini confirms Luigi Di Biagio will return to the Italy Under-21s after Roberto Mancini was appointed as CT.
The former midfielder took the team for the March friendlies with Argentina and England, but will now return to his role as Coach of the Azzurrini.
“We must be grateful for those who put their souls into what they do,” Fabbricini began today’s Press conference by saying.
“Thank you to Di Biagio, because he led the national team in two important games, away from home.
“He’ll go back to leading the Under-21s, the European Championship will be in Italy and we hope to be there for the final in Udine, to get to the Olympics.”
Fabbricini also discussed Mancio, confirming he gave up a lot of money to take the Italy job.
“You know the criteria [for CT] and we think Mancini fulfils those. We wanted a strong push toward a bench which is historic in world sport.
“We wanted a person with great technical competence, and we think Roberto Mancini best fits that.
“I want to thank [sub-commissioner] Alessandro Costacurta who had the right contacts and waited for the right moment. One of the most important things was that he be free from commitments.
“Mancini had a contract in Russia and he gave it up, he did it for the Azzurri bench which is less financially rewarding compared to Zenit.”