Former Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura says Roberto Mancini has done a great job after the Azzurri ‘hit rock bottom.’
Ventura is infamously remembered for being the coach under whom the Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Mancini was appointed to replace Ventura and led Italy to Euro 2020, losing just two of his 30 games in charge of the Azzurri.
“He’s done a great job. Now he is missing only the icing on the cake,” Ventura told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Italy could only rise after hitting rock bottom, but that was not easy. Mancini deserves praise for trusting many young players who have become cornerstones of this team. He’s made the pitch do the talking,” the 73-year-old added.
“I think Italy will be among the top four at Euro 2020,” he continued.
“France remain the favourites, but Italy will be among the main protagonists. England have Foden, France have Mbappé and Belgium have Lukaku, just to name three important players.
“We have a team because each player is at the team’s service. We are like a club that plays a tournament for national teams.”