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BERLIN – JULY 9: General view of the World Cup trophy prior to the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Final match between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia admits that playing in the World Cup without Italy is ‘not the same’ and urges the federation to imitate France: ‘Work on the foundations and develop young talent.’
Rudi Garcia is getting ready for his first World Cup as a coach, as the ex-Roma and Napoli boss will lead Belgium this summer.
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Garcia: World Cup without Italy is ‘not the same’
Unfortunately, Italy won’t participate in the competition, having missed out on qualification for the third time in a row.
“As an Italian, I’m very sad. Playing such a big tournament without you is not the same,” Garcia told Gazzetta.
“I hope you’ll make the most of this disappointment to fix things.
“I’m not the person to give advice, but given the job they’ve done in France, I think it’s appropriate to work on the foundations and develop young talent.”
Italy have appointed Silvio Baldini as a caretaker coach, but will hire a new manager after the FIGC Presidential election on June 22.
The new coach will make his debut in the Nations League against Belgium next September. Will Garcia still be in charge of Belgium?
“We’ll see. It would be nice,” he said.
“My contract is expiring, and I’ll have to make decisions. For the moment, I’ll focus on the World Cup. A unique emotion.”
- Read more – Garcia: Lukaku not a Belgium World Cup starter, De Bruyne ‘happy’ with two Napoli things
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
