Arrigo Sacchi blasts Ranieri: “You can’t say no to Italy.” | OneFootball

Former Italy and Milan manager Arrigo Sacchi took issue with Claudio Ranieri’s decision to turn down the Italian national team.

Following Ranieri’s rejection of the coaching position for Italy, Sacchi spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I don’t know the specific motivations, but I believe that you can’t say no to the National team,” said the retired technician.

“It’s a moral duty to answer the call, at least that’s how I see it. The National team is the team of all Italians and therefore, for a coach, it should represent the highest goal for any manager.”

“What’s higher and nobler than being able to lead a project that involves the entire country?”

“I read the names of many coaches, from Cannavaro to De Rossi and Gattuso. I don’t feel like expressing an opinion on their qualities. They have had their experiences, they have been great champions, they certainly have the blue color stuck to their skin, and they thrilled the public when they won the World Cup in 2006.”

“But being the technical commissioner of Italy is a very complicated job, as someone who has been on that bench tells you. You have to select, train, manage the pressure, be psychologists… Not easy… But what a joy to be able to sit on that bench.”