🚨 Official: Silvio Baldini to take charge of Italy Under-21s 🇮🇹 | OneFootball

It's official: Silvio Baldini is the new coach of the Under-21 national team.

At 67 years old, the Tuscan coach is once again a key figure in Italian football with a clear and ambitious mission: to relaunch the youth sector of the Italian national team. After years between Serie A and lower categories, Baldini returns to the national team with pride and a fighting spirit.

The choice of the FIGC, announced by President Gabriele Gravina, is a clear signal: they are betting on a direct, charismatic, and unconventional man.

🇮🇹 A man against the tide

Silvio Baldini is not just any coach: he is a technician who has always put personal values before his career.

Now, from the Under-21 bench, he will have the opportunity to turn his words into actions, guiding a generation of young talents with an authentic and revolutionary approach.

📞 Gravina's words and the federation's goal

"We have chosen a man of value and with values," explained Gabriele Gravina. The FIGC is strongly committed to the technical and educational training of young people.

"We have entrusted the Under-21 bench to an excellent coach," says FIGC President Gabriele Gravina. "Baldini has the human qualities and technical knowledge to make a significant leap in quality for the Azzurrini".

😍 Baldini's words and career

"I'm happy and excited," says Baldini. "I thank President Gravina for the opportunity and trust: I'm pleased that he was interested in my career and thought of me for this position. Wearing the blue shirt is a great pride, I will try to convey this strong sense of identity and belonging to the boys. From a technical point of view, I am convinced that we can do very well, but the only way I know to achieve results is through work, and therefore I am eager to start".

The Tuscan coach, born in 1958, winner of the 2023 Serie C Panchina d'Oro after promotion to Serie B with Palermo in the 2021/2022 season, which was repeated in June with Pescara, has a long experience on the benches.

He started in the Second Category (Bagnone) and reached Serie A (Catania, Empoli, Lecce, and Parma). His debut is scheduled for September 5th in La Spezia against Montenegro, in the first match of Group E (which also includes Armenia, North Macedonia, Poland, and Sweden) of the qualifying phase for the final phase of the European Championship, which will be held in June 2027 in Albania.

🔙 Barzagli, second coach

Alongside him, in the role of second coach, Andrea Barzagli returns to the Italian national team, a 2006 World Cup winner and 2004 European Under-21 champion.

In the 2021-2023 period, the former national team defender had already worked as a technical collaborator for the youth teams, from the Under-20 to the Under-15.

💥 A debut that already counts for a lot

Baldini's official baptism as a coach will take place on September 5th in La Spezia against Montenegro, in a match valid for qualification for the 2027 European Under-21 Championship.

A immediately important match, which can give concrete indications about the new direction.

🔄 All changes in the benches of the Italian youth teams

In addition to the Under-21 team, the other Italian youth teams are also being renewed. Carmine Nunziata, who leaves the Under-21 bench, returns to coach the Under-20 team, where he will be accompanied by Matteo Brighi and Mirco Gasparetto.

Alberto Bollini remains in charge of the Under-19 team, with Christian Maggio as his second coach.

Massimiliano Favo will take over the Under-18 team, while Daniele Franceschini, after five years in that category, moves to the Under-17 team, with the support of Marco Scarpa and Francesco Antonioli, who will be the goalkeeper coach.

There are also new developments in the Under-16 team, now led by Manuel Pasqual, with Matteo Barella as his second coach. Enrico Battisti remains in charge of the Under-15 team, with Antonio Rocca as supervisor.

Finally, the new Under-14 team is born, dedicated to players born in 2012 from professional clubs: it will be supervised by Luigi Milani, with monthly meetings at the Federal Territorial Centers.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.