Zola praises Prandelli’s capabilities

(GSM) – Gianfranco Zola praised new Italy coach Cesare Prandelli’s capabilities and says ”he will bring the fresh air of youth to the team.”

The former Fiorentina manager Prandelli will be officially unveiled as Italy coach on July 1 and Zola feels the 52-year-old tactician will help to reconstruct the Italian football.

The defending world champions, who lost 3-2 to Slovakia in their crucial group match, failed to win a single match during their disastrous campaign after draws with Paraguay and New Zealand.

“I definitely like him,” the former West Ham United boss told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme.

“He is a young manager with ideas and energy and I think it is the perfect assignment.

“I think he will bring the fresh air of youth to the team and that is a good thing, something we have to work on.

“There will be moments where we will struggle but it is a path we have to go through.

“I am expecting him to select some young players and to work downwards in the national teams, restructuring our youth system which right now is the one which is struggling the most.”