Soccer opinion: Changes Italy must make after yet another World Cup qualification failure

Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup is monumental; as a country with such a successful history in the competition, it doesn’t feel right that it won’t be heading to North America this summer, especially for a nation that was often a regular participant.

This marks 12 years since they last appeared in a World Cup and 20 years since their last knockout stage, which was the year they won and added their fourth star to their badge.

During this time, a whole generation of Italians was either too young to remember or had never seen Italy compete at a World Cup, leaving a damaging impact on the next generation.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Luca Salmasi takes a look at the changes Italy must make to return to the next World Cup and restore their status amongst the elites of international football.

Proven leader is needed

Italy need to be serious with their selection processes and elect someone with a proven track record that can shift an outdated mindset.

Whilst Gabriele Gravina did manage some success in his time as president of the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio – namely, the Euro 2021 victory – he ultimately oversaw more bad than good, seeing two failures to qualify for the World Cup.

One of the main targets being spoken about is AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, who is seemingly Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi’s first choice.

However, it might not be that easy to convince Maldini to take the role as he has always stated that his only job in Italy would be with Milan.

Maldini could be the person the FIGC has needed all along, as during his time working at Milan, he built a winning project from a broken club, helping build the foundations to take them to their first Scudetto in 10 years in 2021.

He also had an eye for smart recruitment and talent identification, signing the likes of Rafael Leao and Sandro Tonali, who were well-scouted young players.

But he also balanced the squad out with clear and strong leaders like Oliver Giroud, Simon Kjaer, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, providing a clear transition between generations.

Whilst the way he left AC Milan in 2023 wasn’t great, looking back, his overall project in Milan was a success – and if he is awarded the role in the elections, the future of Italian football will be in safe hands.

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Experience that delivers results

Gennaro Gattuso’s tenure as Italy coach was nothing short of a disaster, but with little time to adapt after Luciano Spalletti’s departure, there wasn’t much he could do on the already sinking ship.

Yet, whilst he did not have much time, many questions were raised about his appointment ahead of the first ball being kicked, having managed nine clubs across Europe over the last 13 years, with the longest job being at his former club, AC Milan.

Roberto Mancini seems to be one of the favourite candidates for the national team role following Gattuso’s departure.

Mancini had his first spell from 2018 to 2023, during which he oversaw the 2021 European Championship victory, an unforgettable highlight in Italian football.

Mancini not only revitalised the national team after the 2018 World Cup failure by blending youth with experience, but also implemented a more attacking style rather than the traditional defensive tactics.

As Italy look for a complete overhaul and reset, Mancini could be the positive return the FIGC needs to revamp the national team and get them back on track for success.

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Roberto Baggio’s overlooked report

In 2011, Baggio produced and presented a comprehensive 900-page report titled “Renew the Future” to the FIGC that was aimed at revolutionising the nation’s football system, which was ultimately ignored – leading to Baggio’s resignation as head of technical.

This was a detailed blueprint for restructuring Italian football following Italy’s disastrous group stage exit at the 2010 World Cup, with Baggio spending months working with experts to compile detailed suggestions aimed at bridging the gap between Italy and other leading footballing nations.

Baggio wanted to change the approach that the FIGC had to training coaches and managers, as he wanted to focus on coaches who were well educated, preferably with degrees and with different professional experiences that weren’t necessarily in football.

However, the main point of this report was to do with a vast improvement in the youth system, as he wanted training centres in 100 different districts, with three coaches assigned to each one to have 5,000 matches per year for young Italians to prove themselves.

Baggio also felt that there was too much attention being paid to tactical approach rather than technique, a topic that has come up again following Italy’s third unsuccessful World Cup campaign.

These suggestions were dismissed 15 years ago, but with the new objective of reform and a major overhaul expected within the federation, Italy might want to revisit the blueprint that was so quickly ignored the first time around.

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