Former Tottenham and PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino admits he wants to coach in Serie A one day and says Gigio Donnarumma and Marco Verratti ‘were terrorized’ before Italy-North Macedonia in March.
The Argentinean boss was sacked by PSG last summer despite winning Ligue 1. The Champions League elimination in the Round of 16 against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid cost him the job in Paris and the ex-defender is now aiming for a career in Italy.
“Yes, I’d love it. All my grandparents are from Italy, I was surrounded by the Italian culture growing up and I’ve always had the target of coaching in Serie A one day,” he told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.
“I’ve worked in Spain, France and England and I hope I’ll have a chance in Serie A.
“It’s a competitive and exciting league. I watch many games with great interest. It has lost a bit of weight lately, but it must be respected and admired anyway.”
READ MORE – WORLD CUP – HOW ITALY FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR QATAR 2022: THE AZZURRI’S KEY ERRORS
Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup the second time in a row and Pochettino, who coached Donnarumma and Verratti last season admits the Italian pair felt a lot of pressure before a playoff semifinal against North Macedonia this past March.
“I’ve experienced it in the first person. Before the game with North Macedonia, Marco Verratti and Gigio Donnarumma were terrorized. It was evident that they felt the pressure around the national team and the country.”
Italy finished runners-up to Switzerland in their qualification group and lost 1-0 to North Macedonia in the playoffs’ semifinals in March, less than nine months after becoming European champions.
Italy had previously failed to get a spot for Russia 2018 facing elimination against Sweden with Gian Piero Ventura in charge
“That being said, the current qualification system must be revisited,” said the 50-year-old.
“Who has won the tournament should always have a spot and I am not saying it because my grandparents were Italian, but because I really believe it.
It would be great to see him coaching in Italy. I like his syle, particularly the way he introduces and develops young players. As for automatic qualification for previous World Cup winners, I see where he’s coming from, but at the same time having to play qualifiers is important – teams need competitive fixtures. If they’re playing friendlies for 2 years, they’ll come into the tournament a little cold.