Sakki: It is a moral obligation to respond to the national team’s call, and coaching the national team is the highest honor for coaching

June 12th, Italian legendary coach Saki recently accepted an exclusive interview with the Milan Sports Daily, talking about the current dilemma of Italian football and the dilemma of the Italian national team coach.

Talking about the current situation of the Italian team

Saki: In my opinion, it is painful for me to be treated unfairly. Before the match against Norway, some players publicly refused Spaletti's call and had a dispute with the former coach. Now even a person as rigorous as Ranieri suddenly withdrew when the terms of the contract have been agreed. The national team is in a chaos of coachlessness. Shouldn’t Italian football be treated with more respect?

What do you think about Ranieri's rejection?

Saki: I don't know the deep reasons, but I think the national team should not be rejected. Responding to the call is a moral obligation, at least I think so. The national team represents all Italians and should be the highest honor for the coach. What else is more noble than leading the football cause of the entire country?

Obviously the national team is no longer so attractive.

Saki: Maybe, if this is the case, I would be very surprised. When this happens, how can we ask players to be loyal and team-oriented to their jerseys? The national team is above everything else, above the club, above understandable localism.

It is necessary to realize that we are in the dramatic situation of the overall crisis of Italian football and need courage and responsibility to resolve it. Missing the World Cup for two consecutive times is a heavy blow to fans. Is it necessary to fulfill the proverb that "nothing can be done"? I hope not.

After the Football Association fired Spaletti due to poor performance, Ranieri has been selected as a replacement and reached an agreement. What should I do now?

Saki: Imagine how shocked Chairman Gravina and Football Association officials were when they learned that Ranieri’s decision was. But now is not the time to reflect, you must roll up your sleeves and find the best solution as soon as possible. Unfortunately, my friend Ancelotti went to Brazil, otherwise he would be the ideal candidate.

Who should I choose now?

Saki: I see many names: Cannavaro, De Rossi, Gattuso. Don't want to evaluate their abilities. They are experienced and were once great champions, and the blue has been integrated into their blood, which excited all of Italy when they won the 2006 World Cup.

It is very complicated to be the head coach of the national team. I have experienced it deeply after sitting in that position. It requires selection, training, coping with stress, and playing a psychiatrist...it is not easy...but how happy it is to be able to sit on that coaching seat!

coaching the Blues is always the best experience in my career. In 1991, I gave up 2 billion lira (about 1 million US dollars at the time) and chose the national team. That's right, Milan gave me an annual salary of 3 billion lira, and the Football Association can only provide 1 billion lira, and Real Madrid even offered 5 billion lira to invite me to Spain.

But I chose the national team without hesitation. I was eager to lead my motherland to the top of the world. In 1994, we almost did it. If it weren't for being arranged to play in the 'oven' on the East Coast of the United States and going to California like Brazil...

Although the old man lost the final, my children were all heroes. I will always be grateful for everything they have given to Italy and the fans. I hope that the current players also have this spirit. The sense of belonging to the national team now is the primary condition for success and seems to be disappearing.

Pioli is reportedly in contact, but he is currently coaching in Saudi Arabia and may also have a club invitation. As for Mancini, he is indeed unemployed now...

reporter mentioned that Mancini's sudden change of jobs to the Saudi national team in the summer of 2023 led to a deterioration in the relationship with Chairman Gravina: Everyone can make mistakes, the key is to be brave enough to admit it. Recently, his public reflection is a manifestation of maturity. I think everyone who knows mistakes can correct them is worth a second chance - don't forget that our recent competition trophy was brought by him.

Have you forgotten the 2021 European Cup? The team and tactics he created at that time were masterpieces. Sadly, that champion became the last glory. Since then, Italian football has fallen into darkness.