Former striker Paolo Di Canio argues that Italy want Antonio Conte much more than Pep Guardiola, says Sandro Tonali can be an ideal match for Inter, and warns: ‘We’re getting used to mediocrity.’
Ex-Italian striker Di Canio mentioned the state of Italian soccer in an interview with , delivering a blunt and uncompromising critique.
Commercial
Di Canio: Italy ‘getting used to mediocrity’
“We’re getting used to mediocrity,” mentioned the ex-West Ham star.
“We get outraged, after which two or three days later we return to speaking about Italian gamers as in the event that they have been one of the best on this planet.”
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso has resigned alongside FIGC President Gabriele Gravina within the wake of the World Cup play-off Ultimate defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Italy U21 boss Silvio Baldini for the June friendlies, with a brand new coach set to take over after the election of the brand new FIGC President on June 22.
Some Italian pundits, together with ex-Italian defender Daniele Adani, have claimed that the FIGC ought to attempt to rent Guardiola, however Di Canio disagreed: “We’d like somebody like Conte, who already is aware of what we’re speaking about,” he mentioned.
Commercial
Di Canio went on to say that points with Italian soccer don’t solely lie on the pitch: “To start with, we within the media will not be doing our job correctly,” he argued.
“Many are obsessive about self-promotion and remark to finish up on social media, forgetting that we’re gasping on the backside.”
ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy reacts after the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photograph by Getty Pictures/Getty Pictures)
Italy captain Gigio Donnarumma, a Euro 2020 winner, left Milan on a free switch practically 5 years in the past to hitch PSG. Final summer season, he signed for Manchester Metropolis.
Commercial
“It’s about cash, plain and easy. Respectable, in fact, and I don’t criticise him,” mentioned Di Canio.
“In Italy, he would have needed to halve his wage to play for a non-competitive staff. For me, he’s very, very sturdy, however generally he makes errors like a median participant, errors Buffon made as soon as each three years. At sure golf equipment, one blunder within the mistaken match cancels out ten miracles.”
Paolo Di Canio
There are many rumours linking Tonali with a transfer away from Newcastle this season. Which Serie A staff would go well with him higher?
“Inter, who have already got a real playmaker,” Di Canio replied.
“He’s by far our greatest outfield participant, however the place does he play? Within the tenth-placed staff within the English league.”
Commercial
Lastly, the ex-Juventus, Milan and Lazio striker spoke about Federico Chiesa’s lack of enjoying time at Liverpool and the way that displays the distinction between Serie A and the Premier League: “If he got here again to Italy, it will take a few sprints, and we’d be saying: ‘My God, why wasn’t he enjoying at Liverpool?’ Easy, as a result of the Premier League is just like the NBA, and we’re Italian basketball. Malen at Aston Villa was the third backup; at Roma, he appears to be like like an alien. Lautaro scores in opposition to Pisa and Lecce, and I hear folks say he’s like Kane; 49 targets throughout all competitions. How are you going to even say that?”