Former Italy midfielder Demetrio Albertini has questioned whether Pep Guardiola’s footballing DNA marries up with that of the Azzurri.
Guardiola has held talks with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) regarding the vacant head coach job and, although there is no agreement yet, the possibility of former Manchester City boss Guardiola making a swift return to football remains.
Italy won Euro 2020 but have failed to reach the last three World Cups as they struggle to find an identity.
Guardiola would provide that but Albertini is not convinced the Spaniard’s possession-heavy philosophy would necessarily work in Italy, given it is not taught in academies from a young age.
He told AS: “About Pep Guardiola, what to say… We are talking about one of the greatest, without a doubt. But you have to be convinced that you can work here [in Italy]. You must understand if your philosophy can marry up.
“Let’s see… Italy, its DNA, differs from Spain in the way it interprets soccer. We have to implement a pathway for our young talents. I think that, in Italy, today, it is not designed. In Spain, with its unique style, yes. You can’t change the DNA.”
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Italy can achieve success in other ways – Albertini
Guardiola is on an FIGC shortlist that also contains Roberto Mancini, Antonio Conte and Andre Pirlo.
And Albertini, who is a former FIGC vice-president, insists Italy can still achieve success even if Guardiola is not appointed.
He added: “We are talking about a national team coach, not a club coach. It’s not the same. Sometimes, there are many diverse philosophies that can work very well in international football. We don’t have a philosophical journey like the Spanish one, but we do have four World Cups and two European Championships.
“Soccer is wonderful because it brings you closer to victory in different ways. If we think about the final of the World Cup, if we had reached penalties… Who says that Argentina would not have won, even if it had played differently. The diversity of interpretation of the game is enormous. And, yes, you may like one or the other more.”
Youth needs to be given a chance in Italy
Albertini suggested the national team would struggle irrespective of the coach until the mindset of overlooking young players changed.
“Do you know how many Spanish champions at the last World Cup played in the reserves?” he asked. “I think 22 out of 26. If we go back, to 2010, more than 20 again. In short, about 90%. Rodri, for example, do you know how many games he played in the reserves (Villarreal B)? More than 40. We are talking about the Spain captain, Ballon d’Or…. That is a training process.
“Today few Italian footballers are prepared to compete in Serie A. Very few. Few clubs have the courage to bet on local talents. So they will never be able to mature or reach higher levels. Potential is slowed down.
“In Spain, a 17-year-old talent has opportunities to prove who he is. They immediately make him play with the older players. They give him options. One after another. Today, in my country, there are no 17- or 18-year-olds in Serie A. Not even on the bench.”
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