Gian Piero Ventura has denied resigning as Italy head coach despite the fact the Azzurri have failed to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1958.
Italy succumbed to a 1-0 aggregate defeat to Sweden after being held to a goalless draw in San Siro on Monday evening.
Reports emerged immediately after the match suggesting Ventura had resigned, but the 69-year-old denied stepping down in his post-match press conference.
“I have not resigned, because I haven’t spoken to the president yet,” The Daily Mail quote Ventura as saying.
“I’m sorry for being late, but every player I had the privilege of working with, I wanted to salute individually.
“It’s a very heavy result to bear, because I was absolutely convinced – and tonight’s game confirmed it – that we had this ferocious desire to overcome the obstacle. I have been in football for many years and know what it’s like.
“I am proud to have been part of the Azzurri group. I am proud to have worked with great champions and with others who I hope will become champions.
“I am disappointed, because once again tonight I realised what the Nazionale means to the people. I thank the crowd at San Siro, who helped us to the last minute. It was unique and extraordinary.
“The fact we deserved to qualify is frankly secondary right now. I have to evaluate an infinity of issues. We will meet with the Federation and discuss it. We will speak the way we always have done. There is a rapport with Tavecchio and the entire Federation.”
Ventura has been widely criticised throughout Italy’s qualification campaign and his decision to leave Napoli ace Lorenzo Insigne on the bench against Sweden on Tuesday even angered his own players.
Daniele De Rossi was seen reacting angrily after being told to warm up when Italy needed to score and even suggested that Insigne needed to come on.
When you consider Insigne has created more goalscoring chances than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues this season (38), it’s hardly surprising that De Rossi wanted the 26-year-old to come on.
