Devis Mangia says he will hope to follow the example of Cesare Prandelli after being named as the new Italian Under-21 boss.
Devis Mangia says he will hope to follow the example of Cesare Prandelli after being named as the new Italian Under-21 boss.
The former Palermo tactician, sacked in December by the Sicilians, has replaced Ciro Ferrara on the Azzurrini bench following the latter’s switch to Sampdoria” data-scaytid=”8″>Sampdoria.
“I thank the Federation for this great opportunity,” Mangia noted. “Being in charge of the Under-21 national side is one of the most prestigious jobs in Italian football.
“I have an example in front of me such as Italy CT Prandelli. I’ll look to be similar to him in terms of the way he works and his footballing philosophies.
“You saw that the national side was a ‘team’ at the European Championship and I think such an objective is obtainable.
“I’ve been lucky enough to work within all the categories of youth football and they have all given me experience of something – even if I haven’t always won.”
Mangia, former Primavera boss at Varese and Palermo, will make his debut on the Azzurrini bench in an August 15 friendly against Holland.
In September, he will take charge of European Championship qualifiers against Liechtenstein and the Republic of Ireland.
Mangia landed the job after winning strong approval from Arrigo Sacchi, the Federation’s youth team co-ordinator.
“If total football was once a thought for some, now it is a necessity for everyone,” stated Sacchi. “We have a need to evolve and believe more in youth.
“We want to have teams that want to dictate games and play football. You learn more when you create rather than destroy.”
Italy are top of their Euro Group 7, four points ahead of Turkey after collecting five wins and one draw from their six qualifiers so far.