After losing to Uruguay on Tuesday and crashing out of the World Cup, Italian boss Cesare Prandelli has made it a triple-whammy.
Prandelli has stepped down as the manager of the Italian national team.
Italy were well placed for most of their final Group D game, even after being reduced to 10-man when Claudio Marchisio was sent off in the 60th minute. They held Uruguay until the 82nd minute when Diego Godin headed home the goal which sent La Celeste through to the last 16 at Italy’s expense.
All Prandelli, and Italy, needed was a point to guarantee their progression to the knockout rounds but instead they are heading back home after the group stages for the second-straight World Cup.
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After the defeat, Prandelli announced his resignation at the start of his post-match news conference. Then Italian Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete, sitting next to Prandelli, confirmed his resignation too. Abete then went on to say that he hoped Prandelli would reverse his decision to resign.
The former Serie A player has managed the Azzurri 51 times, winning 23, drawing 16 and losing just 12 times over the past four years. However Italy have won just two of their last 11 matches, with Prandelli struggling to kick his side on from an impressive performance at Euro 2012.
Is it a big shock that Prandelli has stepped down? Not really.
Many expected the former Roma and Fiorentina manager to go back into club management after this World Cup, no matter what the outcome was. Prandelli had, up until this point, rebuilt the Italian national team and led them to the 2012 European Championships final. The fans, media and players believed in his methods, however with a lack of attacking options and an ageing squad, the Italian side seemed to be backing into this World Cup with much trepidation.
Prandelli is out. Italy are out. The Azzurri move on.
