Cesare Prandelli believes Italy are in good shape to do well at Euro 2012, but he has refused to rule out leaving his position after the summer tournament.
Prandelli took charge of the Azzurri after the 2010 World Cup campaign and has led the country through a record-breaking qualification campaign to a place in the upcoming European Championships.
Cesare Prandelli believes Italy are in good shape to do well at Euro 2012, but he has refused to rule out leaving his position after the summer tournament.
Prandelli took charge of the Azzurri after the 2010 World Cup campaign and has led the country through a record-breaking qualification campaign to a place in the upcoming European Championships.
However, asked on rumours that link the CT with a return to club management in the summer, with Roma and Inter both pushed towards the former Fiorentina boss, Prandelli did not provide definitive closure.
“Working every day is something I do miss, but I also will say that my quality of life has improved a great deal,” he told selected reporters at a publicity event on Thursday.
“Every now and then I will talk with my colleagues about this, how they would want to work every day.
“But I tell them that we are fortunate to have time. And time is wealth. We are focused and determined to start this European adventure, after that the results will shape the decisions of all.”
The 54-year-old then turned his attention to his team’s chances at Euro 2012, where La Nazionale will play Spain, Croatia and Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland.
“I think all Coaches at any level before starting a game think they can win it. We have the experience to face big teams and certainly we have the conviction, which we have created with the group.
“This means that in difficult moments we know we are together, when needed we have the willingness to help each other and I am also convinced that we can play good football. We leave for the European Championships to win them.”
Prandelli was asked again about his ‘ethical code’ of conduct that he has brought to the national team. Mario Balotelli and Daniele De Rossi have both been dropped from selection for misdemeanours during domestic club action.
“It’s a term coined by journalists. We have only empowered the players and then set ourselves a standard of behaviour that at the time was qualified as people, and then as players.
“Many teams, especially in northern Europe, for years have signed a regulation for parents whose children start to play – they cannot complain, they cannot protest against the referee or Coach when making a substitution and they are able to enforce this rules.
“The children are given greater responsibility to be involved as much as their parents, who carry the expectations where the child just wants to have fun and play.”
Inevitably questioning led to Prandelli’s viewpoint on the clash between Delio Rossi and Adem Ljajic on Wednesday night at his former club Fiorentina.
“It is difficult to answer because everyone has their own way of dealing with stress. What is certain is that it was not a good episode for football.
“When I talk about Fiorentina I become serious because they are a club that I loved and still love and I can I find it difficult to talk about.
“When there is a willingness from all to roll up their sleeves and work towards a common goal, with the love and passion Florence has for its team, then in no time they can pick themselves up again as a club.”