Prandelli will have Under-21 say

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli will have a say in who replaces Ciro Ferrara on the Under-21 bench, the Italian Football Federation have revealed.

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli will have a say in who replaces Ciro Ferrara on the Under-21 bench, the Italian Football Federation have revealed.

Ferrara will be released from his contract with the Azzurrini to take charge of newly promoted Serie A outfit Sampdoria.

“I’ve spoken with Sampdoria and with Ferrara,” FIGC President Giancarlo Abete noted. “He has expressed a desire to tie himself to Sampdoria and we have given him our approval.

“Now it will be up to Prandelli, FIGC Vice-President Demetrio Albertini and youth sector co-ordinator Arrigo Sacchi to identify a new Coach for the Under-21 side.”

The decision to consult Prandelli is the first clear step in the FIGC’s plans to give the Coach a greater say in how the national side is run.

“The aim of the Federation is to allow a more organic relationship between the Coach with the Under-21 side, as well as the other youth teams.”

Prandelli spoke earlier today of the need to change the way Italian football is run and the desire for clubs to be of more assistance to his requirements.

“The Lega Calcio has never had such an insignificant role with respect to the Federation as it does now and that causes damage,” Abete continued.