Conte calls off mid-season Italy training camp

Date: 3rd February 2015 at 8:03pm
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Conte - ItalyThe FIGC has cancelled a training programme for the Azzurri that was scheduled between February 9 and 11.

Several clubs were not comfortable with releasing their players at such a crucial time in the Serie A season, just a week before the Champions League and Europa League resume.

Italy coach Antonio Conte and FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio released a statement agreeing to cancel the mid-season retreat.

“Given the responses we received, we chose not to proceed with a training programme that likely would not be helpful to the national team or the clubs,” Conte said.

But the coach also warned clubs to find a way to co-operate with the national team.

“I hope that from now on we will be able to find solutions together to make the national team a point of reference for our football system.”

Conte has spent six months in charge of the Azzurri, winning five of his first six games.

“Coaching the national team is a great experience,” he told Tiki-Taka magazine. “I have to select the best to win games, although in this difficult time there is less of a need for a coach than a recruiter.

“Italian football was at the peak. Now there is no disposable income, and we are finding it difficult to churn out new talent.”

Conte has every intention of making Italy a main protagonist in the 2016 Euros, but he is also keeping another one of his dreams alive.

“In the future, I hope to coach abroad,” said the former Juventus man. “I try to study more languages, it’s important for us coaches.”

 

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