Ravanelli: 'I'd bend over backwards to bring back Conte'

Former Italy international Fabrizio Ravanelli said the country must turn to Antonio Conte after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Published : Nov 16, 2017 09:30 IST

Former Italy head coach Antonio Conte
Former Italy head coach Antonio Conte
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Former Italy head coach Antonio Conte

Fabrizio Ravanelli said he would "bend over backward" to reappoint former Italy head coach Antonio Conte following Gian Piero Ventura's sacking .

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed Ventura's dismissal on Wednesday after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

Italy's streak of 14 consecutive World Cup appearances came to an end following Monday's goalless draw against Sweden in Milan as the Scandinavians triumphed 1-0 on aggregate.

The FIGC said it will consider "important names" to replace Ventura and former Italy international Ravanelli insisted the country must turn to Chelsea's Conte, who left the role last year having reached the Euro 2016 quarter-finals.

"I'd bend over backward to get Antonio Conte back," Ravanelli said.

READ: Who will be the next Italy coach?

"I'd try to convince him in every way, because what he did with the national team was something great.

"He's an innovator, and he really knows how to rebuild the whole environment.

"That's how Germany did really well. The Azzurri shirt is something you have to sweat for and earn."

ALSO READ: Italy failure a reminder of qualifying difficulties

On Ventura — who left Daniele De Rossi frustrated during the second-leg play-off after asking the veteran midfielder to warm-up instead of star forward Lorenzo Insigne as Italy desperately sought an equaliser — Ravanelli added: "It is understood that he was no longer followed by the group. He had lost the team's credibility and De Rossi's outburst showed it."

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