Roberto Mancini has been made co-ordinator for the Under-21 and Under-20 teams, with Andrea Barzagli joining his staff, Carmine Nunziata becoming Under-21 coach and Attilio Lombardo Under-20 boss.
The decision had been expected after a request from Mancini to work in closer co-operation with the youth teams, therefore helping young players to break through more easily.
It also gives him greater power to shape the present and future of the Nazionale, having a hand in all the various levels of international football in the Peninsula.
The FIGC announced the decision at the end of their meeting today and President Gabriele Gravina noted it was “a coherent project showing the necessity to work as production chain” for talent.
There are other changes too, as Carmine Nunziata is the new coach of the Under-21 team, having taken Italy to the Final of the Under-20 World Cup this summer.
He replaces Paolo Nicolato, whose contract was not renewed after a group stage exit from the European Under-21 Championship.
The new Under-20 coach is Attilio Lombardo, who until now had been part of Mancini’s staff for the senior Italy squad.
Bernardo Corradi, the former Chievo striker, is promoted from the Under-17 job to Under-20 coach.
As for the Azzurri, ex-Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli comes in to focus on training defenders, while Under-19 coach Alberto Bollini becomes the new assistant manager to Mancini.
better late than never still the quality of the players not ther they cannot finish games they need to incease the size of the players and be physically strong if this does not happen down the shout we go
italians care about soccer in this order region club very last national unlike other countries the national team is always first
lookat the look on his face looks very worried about the games coming up should have stepped dow after the euros