Rome, Aug. 12 (LaPresse) – “Unfortunately, what happened is still on my mind. I’m a man who acts based on feelings, not on personal interest. With the national team I felt like I was in paradise, but I wasn’t able to give anything. I’m sorry to have disappointed expectations. I take full responsibility. I chose the players, the Federation supported me. I’m sorry for the fans. I didn’t contribute to the growth of the national team. Nothing rolls off me — everything consumes me.” These are the words of Luciano Spalletti, former coach of the Italian national football team, speaking as a special guest on #nonsolomercato, a Rai Sport programme curated and hosted by Paolo Paganini, with the supervision of Marco Lollobrigida, aired on Rai 2 shortly after midnight. Spalletti spoke calmly and frankly about his recent past, but also about the current level of Italian football: “Italian football is in good health, it’s not regressing. I would choose the same players again. Sometimes I wasn’t lucky because some went through periods of lower physical or mental form, but I still consider them quality players. I wish Gattuso the best of luck. I believe he will call up the same players I did. Now I’m calm, I’m thinking about other things. In Serie A we have excellent coaches — I’m not wishing bad luck on anyone. I’ll watch the matches with a clear mind. If some proposal comes along, I’ll consider it.”
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