[Azzurri] Prandelli positive about Italy task

Cesare Prandelli says he has "plenty of positives" to draw on after being officially unveiled by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) as the new head coach of Italy on the back of the Azzurri's disappointing FIFA World Cup showing.

Prandelli was announced as Marcello Lippi's successor earlier in the summer and penned a four-year contract in Rome yesterday but now officially takes over in the wake of Italy's humiliating exit in the group stage in South Africa.

"There are no special recipes," said Prandelli, who started his coaching career with Atalanta before spells at Lecce, Venezia, Verona, Parma, Roma and Fiorentina, where he spent the last five seasons.

"I'm looking forward to starting, I know there are problems but also plenty of positives.

"What has happened has happened. I hope to organise a team based on real human values. There are difficulties, but I want to start off right, with determination and the will to do well."

The 52-year-old was keen to pay tribute to his predecessor Lippi, who led Italy to World Cup glory in 2006 but was unable to prevent their embarrassing group-stage exit this summer.

"I want to salute Marcello Lippi, who is a World Cup-winning coach," said Prandelli. "He leaves a certain mentality behind and this won't be thrown away. The players are attached to the shirt, and we have to restart from this.

"It's a programme that involves everyone - players, staff and even the media.

"Now my only thought is that of the European Championship qualifiers in September. I want to get there with an Italy side that already has its own identity."

Italy start their campaign to reach the 2012 UEFA European Championships in Poland and Ukraine against Estonia on September 3. Qualifying Group C also contains neighbours Slovenia, Serbia, Northern Ireland and the Faroe Islands.

"All the players who will be called up must understand that they don't represent themselves, but a nation. The logic has to be that of the group and the attachment to the shirt.

"I don't want to name names today because it does not seem correct. But I will call up players who are playing well with their respective clubs. Meritocracy is the key.

"I am convinced that there are quality players in Italy and it's my intention to propose a qualitative brand of football. The important thing is not to hurry and to know how to plan well.

"I am already thinking about possible call-ups because I want to concentrate on the qualifiers for Euro 2012. I hope to be able to see some good games from Italy quickly.

"Every coach has a favourite playing system but at the moment I only wish to give players the chance to express themselves in the best possible way."

One of the biggest criticisms of Lippi's reign was the average age of the squad and Prandelli believes introducing more youth is the way forward.

"Having worked with the Atalanta youth team, I am increasingly convinced that the future of football is in the youth sector," he said. "We have so much quality out there and we must work in that direction."

Prandelli revealed that he wants goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who picked up an injury during the World Cup, to take the captain's armband following the retirement of Fabio Cannavaro.

He remarked: "I hope that he can become a reference for all of us. It's my intention to give him the captain's armband at the next European Championship."

Meanwhile, Prandelli's first game in charge of Italy will be a friendly against Ivory Coast in London on August 10.

The FIGC did not confirm the venue of the pre-season fixture but it will be played two days after a training camp at the Coverciano Technical Centre.

Introducing Prandelli to the press at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, FIGC President Giancarlo Abete said: "Prandelli's debut will be on August 10 in a friendly in London against the Ivory Coast.

"His assistant will be Gabriele Pin, with Renzo Casellato, Vincenzo Di Palma and Giambattista Venturati also joining the backroom staff.

"I hope for four years of satisfaction."

Source: UEFA