FLASH
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A strong statement from former 1982 World Cup winner Claudio Gentile has sparked a backlash in Italian football. In an interview with La Repubblica, he commented on the recent crisis of the Italian national team and the Azzurri's elimination from the World Cup, describing the situation as a "stain" on Italian football.
" It hurts me. It's as if the constant losses of the national team have erased a little of what we all achieved. A stain on everyone ," said Xhentile.
The former defender stressed that the problems are not only related to certain individuals, but to the structure of Italian football itself, requiring radical changes.
" How do we get out of this? By changing the system from A to Z, not just a few names. The Football Federation must be completely rebuilt, we must give coaches their freedom again. Teams are made by agents, even the national team, especially the national team ," he declared.
The strongest part of the interview relates to an episode that Xhentile claims occurred during the time he was managing Italy's U-21 team.
“ When I was managing the U-21 team, they came to me with a bag full of money. They said: 'It's yours if you collect what we say'. I told them to leave immediately, otherwise I would call the police ,” he confessed.
According to him, rejecting this offer had direct consequences on his career.
" How did it end? They got rid of me. If you're not a 'puppet', you're not part of the game ," Xhentile added.
Claudio Gentile was sacked as Italy U-21 coach in 2006, during a period when the federation was led by Guido Rosi and Demetrio Albertini. His departure came despite positive results, including the European U-21 championship and a bronze medal at the Olympic Games.
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