Maniero’s official announcement was something many people did not expect.
Because there was no reason for Maniero not to compete for the position of the national team coach and instead take on the role of head coach of the National Youth Team.
You know, next year is the European Cup year!
And the biggest regret for Maniero and Sotu is that they failed to lead Italy back to the top of Europe.
This is something they could not remedy even when lifting the World Cup.
Having been heartbroken in the European Cup semifinals and finals successively, Italy seems destined never to dominate all of Europe.
From the Middle Ages to the discovery of the New World, to the eruption of world wars, and then when Serie A seemed poised to surpass the other four major leagues, it suddenly declined...everything seemed predestined.
Everyone knows and hopes Maniero will launch an assault on the European Cup to lead Italy out of the shadows.
But Maniero, at this critical juncture, chose the Italy National Youth Team.
This...
"This is definitely the most foolish decision I’ve ever seen!"
The Republican Newspaper featured it on the front page, openly criticizing Maniero.
Even explosive news like Inter’s exit from the Champions League and AC Milan advancing to the Champions League semi-finals couldn’t compete with Maniero’s official announcement.
"Italy National Team’s European Cup qualifiers weren’t smooth this year, they’ve been defeated by group opponents... If they can’t adjust their state in time, Italy might even miss next year’s European Cup!"
"If such a result occurs, it would be Italy’s first absence from the European Cup in sixty years! It’s a huge disgrace! By then, the head coach of Italy National Team would inevitably resign, and Maniero would be the most likely candidate."
"Maniero Influenced by Martivini!"
Sky TV released some inside information, directly stating that Maniero made this unusual move to save Martivini’s term.
"Although Maniero and Martivini were players for different teams, even rival teams, their personal relationship isn’t bad, not without Sotu being the connection, Sotu is the bridge between them."
"Some time ago, Maniero and Martivini watched a match led by Sotu in the same VIP box. Although they haven’t admitted to close contact, admission is unnecessary."
"Maniero is too greedy! He wants his reach to extend further, not limited to football, not limited to the national team."
"If Martivini can complete his term, he will surely support Maniero in running for some positions in the future!"
"But has Maniero thought, what if he bets on the wrong horse?"
"If in the European Youth Championship he fails to lead the Italy National Youth Team to breakthrough results, then Martivini and he will bear the primary responsibility. By then, Martivini might step down, and Maniero may miss the national team head coach position, almost becoming inevitable!"
"Maniero is gambling! Such a gambler’s mindset cannot save Italy!"
Most media were very surprised by Maniero’s actions and did not give favorable reviews.
On one hand, they believe Maniero’s choice is not pure.
But they don’t know, football has never been just football.
Without full support from the Italian Football Association, even if Maniero becomes Italy National Team’s head coach, he might not fully implement his ideas, especially when some of his ideas involve unusually young players taking on major roles, facing more resistance.
Rather than struggle forward by then, why not fight now, find a way to achieve the goal in one step.
If Martivini gets re-elected, if Maniero leads the National Youth Team to good results, then... Who would dare challenge Maniero on the Italian national team selection and tactics issues in the future?
That’s Maniero’s core goal.
Either don’t do it.
If you do it, do it grandly, without hindrance, win and you’re wild, lose and you bear it alone.
He, Maniero, refused to hesitantly step onto the stage, and then hesitantly be the scapegoat.
That’s the proud backbone of former Juventus and Italy National Team’s brain.
On the other hand, the media’s pessimism towards Maniero stems from him overthrowing the seemingly good Italy National Youth Team’s original lineup.
Maniero boldly announced that he would focus the new Italian National Youth Team lineup on Morici, one of the San Remo twin stars.
Including but not limited to Sevajos, Canyes, Lam, who have been excellent but haven’t had chances to represent the country, and new rising stars like Lu.
Calafi is a good head coach, but he has a fatal flaw, he belongs to the rigid, inflexible type of head coach.
He excels at systemization and training but lacks in adjusting and adapting.
He often develops good players, but only good ones; he doesn’t really understand how to interact with geniuses.
Geniuses, sometimes don’t need restraint, just need not to be limited.
But Calafi’s style demands a lot from players, though after adaptation, wherever you go you’d become a fairly decent talent, but... Players really suited to this style might have their brilliance smoothed over, even if they were geniuses originally.
Moreover, Calafi isn’t adept at adjustments, his style lacks variation, which actually was already exposing problems during the last few European Youth Championship qualifiers last year.
Back then, people thought that was Italy National Youth Team easing off after securing a finals spot, not realizing it was others’tactical success in breaking down and analyzing Italy’s National Youth Team.