Disgraceful Serbian fans may have thrown Prandelli a lifeline

The absolutely disgraceful behaviour of the Serbian fans in Italy last night will hopefully see them severely punished and even removed from the competition. The game was delayed and then abandoned after just seven minutes as the Serbian fans threw a barrage of fireworks and flares into the Italian fans and onto the pitch.

It is likely that the game will be awarded to Italy and they will therefore have ten points from four games and sit on the top of their group. The authorities must act to ensure that scenes like this are not allowed to happen again.

Job

One thing that may happen as a result of last night’s events is that Cesare Prandelli, the Italian manager, may just keep his job for a few more months.

Former boss Marcello Lippi has a great record as a manager. Prior to leading Italy to their abysmal showing at the 2010 World Cup, his record stood comparison with the very best.

Titles

Five Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, four Supercoppa Italia’s, one European Super Cup, one Champions League title and one World Cup does not amount to a bad trophy cabinet.

You can add to that his three Serie A coach of the year awards, his best national coach in the world award and the twice he has been named best club coach in the world.

Failed

Unfortunately for Lippi, all that counted for nothing when in South Africa in the Summer, his aging Italian team failed to qualify out of the group stage after drawing with Paraguay and New Zealand and losing to Slovakia. It was a disaster and Lippi had to go.

In their wisdom, the Italian authorities turned to Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli to replace Lippi. The fifty-three year old coach was generally well received into the role although his only honours in a twenty-year managerial career amounted to twice getting teams promoted out of Serie B. He had been at Fiorentina for five years, where he had received plaudits for doing well on a tight budget, but hadn’t won anything.

Changing

Prandelli set about changing the face of the Italy team straight after the World Cup. Unfortunately for him, his international managerial career started with a 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in a friendly. He then opened the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a win, but the 2-1 success in Estonia was scrappy at best. A 5-0 win against the Faroes followed and although I would fancy my son’s under sixteen team to beat them, confidence was beginning to be restored. That took a major step backwards in last Friday’s depressing 0-0 draw in Northern Ireland.

Prior to last night’s events against Serbia, there were already rumblings from various media sources that people want Prandelli out. Of course, at this time of the season, there would be few obvious candidates available to take over. Now, however, there is a break until next March before the Italian’s take the next competitive step onto the pitch.

Nice

Prandelli is a very approachable and nice man. He is good humoured and determined to succeed. Prior to last night he was asked if he let the negative media coverage get to him. His reply was telling and humorous.

“When I see some report on the Azzurri that I do not like, I start reading a book. And these days I read many pages.”

It now looks as though he will be free to read what he likes for the next few months at least.