Italy's Interim Coach Criticizes Federation and Rejects Guardiola, Fabregas for Manager Role

Ahead of Italy's friendly matches against Luxembourg and Greece, interim manager Silvio Baldini issued a strong critique of the national football administration, urging for comprehensive reforms within the domestic game.

Baldini, addressing the media before the team's first training session under his leadership, called for a full restructuring of the football hierarchy in Italy. The national team remains without a permanent head coach following Gennaro Gattuso's resignation after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Examining the persistent structural problems in Italian football, Baldini openly condemned the current management, stating, "Italian football is in the hands of managers who think only of their own interests, not the growth of the game. They focus on trading older players, not young ones, because this helps them further their own interests. I can't deny it; I've always said this. I call some people 'scammers,' and they often hold the reins of this game. Until we have serious managers, it will be a problem."

Regarding speculation about potential candidates for the permanent managerial position, Baldini dismissed the possibility of attracting high-profile names such as Antonio Conte, Cesc Fabregas, or Pep Guardiola. He remarked, "If I had to choose, I'd go for coaches with solid resumes. There's no point in mentioning unattainable names like Guardiola or Fabregas; in Italy we have plenty of skilled coaches, and the ones we hear about are absolutely capable of giving the team a strong identity. As for me, I hope whoever arrives sees me as a useful resource and not a hindrance."

With the federation under pressure to appoint a permanent coach to prevent further stagnation, the current international window offers the players an opportunity to develop a clear tactical identity. The upcoming friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece serve as critical tests before a new long-term manager assumes control.