The FIGC chief Gabriele Gravina has claimed he knew “straight away” that Roberto Mancini would be the perfect fit for Italy.
The Italy CT revitalised the national team and they’re set for the Euro 2020 next summer, after setting a new record storming through the qualifiers winning 10 out of 10 games.
Now, Gravina has claimed there was an “excellent feeling” already during their first meeting.
“I understood straight away that he was the right person,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “There was an excellent feeling immediately.
“The idea of making the most of the talent in our young team and the investment in them and in the beautiful football has united us.
“Italian football already has a schedule for the next nine to ten years.”
Mancini extended his deal with the national team until “at least” the 2022 World Cup and Gravina admitted that the success had “accelerated” everything for the FIGC.
But the President is happy to see “enthusiasm” and “pride” surrounding the Azzurri squad again.
“The reality ended up being a lot more exciting than we first thought at the beginning of this adventure,” he added. “The national team gave the country enthusiasm and rediscovered the pride of belonging to the blue colours.
“It accelerated the federation’s reform and political project.”
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