Cesare Prandelli Resigning After World Cup, Taking Responsibility For Losses

Italian coach Cesare Prandelli says he will resign after the world cup. The coach has come under growing criticism for his overall tactical approach after losing against Costa Rica and Uruguay.

The Azzurri, the nickname for the Italian team, is considered one of the best national teams in the world, a reputation that demands victory. The initial speculation was that Italy would clean up its group without a single loss. Now that the Azzurri will not even qualify, Cesare Prandelli has to answer to the fans.

Francesco Graziani, former Italian World Cup champ, said, “He is confused and he’s losing his hold on the situation. Ciro Immobile, who was the top scorer in Series A this season, did not even come off the bench against Costa Rica.”

“Prandelli is making too many errors.”

The Azzurri ended its lackluster performance with a loss, 0 – 1 against Costa Rica.

Cesare Prandelli was down but not out. Before the match against Costa Rica, Italy routed England 2 – 1.

Italy’s hopes were pinned on the game with Uruguay. Coach Prandelli needed at least a draw to stay alive, a goal he woefully failed to accomplish.

Before the match, Cesare Prandelli said his team would not play for a draw, they’d play for to get a full 3 points, the score they would need to qualify. In hindsight, a draw would have been nice.

“I chose a certain technical plan and that’s why I am resigning, because it did not work.”

Italy lost to Uruguay 0 – 1, in a game that will most likely be best remembered as the game where one player took a bite out of another player.

The Azzuri finished 3rd in their group.

“When there is failure, the person in charge must take responsibility” Prandelli said.

When he announced his resignation, Giancarlo Abete, the Italian Football Federation President, also resigned. He said that although his resignation would be irrevocable, he hoped Prandelli would reconsider.

Cesare Prandelli took over the Azzurri after another shocking loss in the 2010 World Cup. At that time, Italy finished last in its group, tying against Paraguay and New Zealand and losing to Slovakia. It was the first time Italy failed to win a single match in the World Cup.

As a result, former coach Marcello Lippi resigned. But apparently Italy still hasn’t recovered its once world-renowned abilities.

Giancarlo Abete said there would be a meeting to discuss Prandelli’s resignation. The president hopes that ultimately the coach would reconsider.

Cesare Prandelli may have taken responsibility for his team’s losses, but will it be enough to satisfy Italy’s grief?

(Image Source: News on Views)