Prandelli pledges to continue Azzurri adventure
Reuters - Sunday 01 July 2012, 23:27
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said
he would continue in charge of the Azzurri despite the setback
of Sunday's 4-0 defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2012.
Prior to the final Prandelli had suggested he would consider
his future after the tournament and had raised issues about his
quality of life and the lack of attention paid to the national
team outside of major tournaments.
But after his tired team were convincingly beaten by world
champions Spain, Prandelli, who has a contract until 2014,
struck a more positive tone over his future.
"My future is already determined, even on a few occasions my
mood was a bit, well, how it was," he said.
"I don't have any problem with the Federation or with its
leadership. I have an excellent relationship with them. There is
a project and we want to take it forward," he said.
The former Parma and Fiorentina coach, who took over from
Marcello Lippi two years ago, said the loss in the final had
actually helped him make up his mind.
"Of course in my choice, this defeat is also a factor, the
impossibility of leaving like this," he said.
"This is a fascinating project, difficult but fascinating,"
he said, adding that he would meet with Italian Football
Federation president Giancarlo Abete in the coming days.
Prandelli said he was proud of the performances from his
team at the tournament, which they had entered with few
expectations after a poor World Cup two years ago and some
unimpressive pre-tournament form as well as a domestic
match-fixing scandal.
"We deserve an eight out of 10 overall, " he said when
asked to rank the team's displays.
"We started the tournament with a few problems, we had Spain
in our group, I think we have played some terrific games but
above all I think we struggled to get back to fitness [for the
final] unfortunately.
"The lads showed that if you have team spirit you can chase
your dream. They worked hard for one another, showed you can
lose with dignity and they have been able to react to
difficulties.
"I am very proud of my team," he said.
Prandelli was warmly applauded by Italian media at the end
of his press conference and responded by clapping back at the
reporters.