Baldini coy on Italy future: ‘It doesn’t matter to me’ | OneFootball

Interim coach Silvio Baldini insists he’s not thinking about becoming the Azzurri head coach on a permanent basis: ‘It doesn’t matter to me. I simply wanted to be useful.’

Baldini won two games from two as Italy’s caretaker coach, beating Luxembourg on Wednesday and Greece on Sunday.

Greece 0-1 Italy: Baldini’s post-match comments

Inter talent Francesco Pio Esposito scored the winning goal in both 1-0 victories.

Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma was the only established player in the team, which included 19 debutants from 24.

“I wasn’t handing out praise for the sake of it. I know the value of these players,” Baldini said at full-time on Sunday.

CREMONA, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Coach Silvio Baldini of Italy listens to the national anthem during the UEFA Euro U21 Qualification match between Italy and Armenia at Stadio Giovanni Zini on October 14, 2025 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)

“When young players understand that having rules is a resource rather than a punishment, they have reached the level of maturity needed to become an important team. Now they just need to keep growing. I was hoping we would get a little bit of luck tonight as well, because luck matters in all aspects of life. I wanted them to gain confidence from this experience. Having rules and a proper lifestyle is not a punishment.”

The reporter noted that many fans and pundits will want Baldini to remain in charge of the senior team now, rather than returning to the U21.

“Thank you, but what matters to me is doing my job well. Unfortunately, in football, people are quick to put labels on you,” Baldini said.

“I believe the best response to those labels is what these boys have shown on the pitch. I’m not someone who came out of nowhere. Fate brought me here, but the journey has been difficult.”

CREMONA, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Coach Silvio Baldini of Italy reacts during the UEFA Euro U21 Qualification match between Italy and Armenia at Stadio Giovanni Zini on October 14, 2025 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)

The reporter insisted: would Baldini be open to coaching Italy from September?

“It doesn’t matter to me. I simply wanted to be useful. I am part of the Italy family,” he insisted.

“I coached these matches because I wanted my players to be appreciated for what they have achieved with me.”

The Italian FA (FIGC) will vote for a new president on June 22, 2026. After that date, a decision on the new Italy coach will be made.

Baldini also commented on Italy’s U17 European Championship win, after beating Belgium on penalties.

“Our family, Italy, is built on certain principles, and all of our youth teams have consistently performed well and won trophies,” he concluded.

“The problem has always been the step from the Under-21s to the senior national team. I believe that step is less steep now after these displays.”