FIGC Presidential candidate Carlo Tavecchio said he’d pick Gianni Rivera as Italy Coach for their September friendly with Holland.
FIGC Presidential candidate Carlo Tavecchio said he’d pick Gianni Rivera as Italy Coach for their September friendly with Holland.
Tavecchio, who is currently President of the LND (Lega Nazionale Dilettanti amateur league), is widely expected to beat Demetrio Albertini to the role of President of the Federation.
His first job will be to choose the new Italy Coach, probably on August 11, with Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini the only real options.
“Italian media are worried because we have a friendly in September with Holland. I’ll send Rivera to be the Coach,” Tavecchio told reporters today.
“Our FIFA ranking isn’t a concern, as for two years we did absolutely nothing, but still have four stars on our jersey.”
Rivera won the 1968 European Championship with Italy and came second in the 1970 World Cup, spending 19 years at Milan, but is now a politician.
Tavecchio put forward this name to court controversy, but denied reports he would favour ex-Juventus boss Conte.
“I have never met Conte. I’ve only ever seen Mancini at the stadium because I am an Inter fan. I’ve never spoken to Francesco Guidolin either.
“The new Coach has to be responsible for the whole project, from start to finish.”
He also had harsh words for those players he deemed unworthy of the Italy jersey.
“If it were up to be, I’d say to every player with the Azzurri jersey: if during the flag raising ceremony and the national anthem you don’t feel a shiver down your spine, then you’re not going on to the pitch.
“You can stay out. We do not need anyone who doesn’t share that philosophy. This country is asleep, as so many Italians have lost pride and dignity.”