Gianluca Vialli says it is an “honour” to work alongside Italy CT and ex-Sampdoria teammate Roberto Mancini’s as chief delegate of the national team.
Vialli becomes Italy’s first chief delegate since Gigi Riva, who retired from the role in 2013, linking up with Mancini after he failed in his efforts to buy Samp.
“I am happy to be here and fill this role, also because I think about whose who came before me [in the role] like Gigi Riva,” he told Tuttomercatoweb.
“I’ll be able to contact the younger players to support them. I’m at the service of the federation, Mancini and [Gabriele] Oriali, and I’d like to thank the President [Gabriele Gravina].
“I wore the Azzurri jersey 80 times in my career and I know what it means, to understand the pressure.”
“We’ve seen all the consequences of the failure to qualify for the World Cup in Russia. To wear this shirt is a great honour, and you can leave a mark on it as a professional.”
The 55-year-old and Mancini formed a prolific partnership for the Blucerchiati in the late 1980s and early 1990s, coining the nickname ‘goal twins’.
“Working with Roberto and the staff is emotional. He has said that we are becoming old but, for me, working here together will keep us all young.
“In my career for the national team, I collected two bronze medals, at Euro ’88 and Italia ’90. I hope I can do better now.”
The former Juventus and Chelsea striker, who is still receiving cancer treatment, scored 16 goals in 59 caps for the Azzurri from 1985 to 1992.
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