On the 24th of April last, this newspaper published an article in which we predicted Claudio Ranieri as the new Italy manager.
Despite the new president of the Football Federation not having been elected yet.
Mister Ranieri has been the Technical Director of the Azzurri for a few days now.
Some would say it is not the same thing, because the Head Coach would Roberto Mancini.
Our reading of the future, on the other hand, has a particularly important value given how his appointment came about.
Malagò, the FIGC president elected in June, entrusted the technical direction to Paolo Maldini and the Brazilian Leonardo, who in turn chose, following chaotic talks, the Brescian Andrea Pirlo, currently engaged in the Saudi second tier.
All wrong, all to be done again, as you know.
I won't tell you the details because they're unbelievable.
So, here is the Ranieri-Mancini solution.
We didn't anticipate Ranieri's call because of a tip from his barber, nor due to some premonition from the goddess of football, but rather because of two parameters that we believe are extremely useful: logic and common sense.
Ranieri was and is the most credible man for this role, given his history and character.
All of us would have chosen him.
We are satisfied with the role of Technical Director, but mind you, it will have an effect, precisely because he is a sports man endowed with logic and common sense.
The players and Mancini need a President of the Republic, and Ranieri is just that in his own right.
The authoritative figure to reassure a footballing generation that needs to be built in technique and determination.
Nicola Tavoletta
