Mangia leaves Italy U21 role to Di Biagio
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
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Citing a desire to manage at club level, Devis Mangia has stepped down as Italy U21 coach two weeks after reaching the European final, with Luigi di Biagio his successor.
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Devis Mangia has stepped down as Italy Under-21 coach and been replaced by Luigi di Biagio.
Mangia led Italy to the UEFA European U21 Championship final in Israel last month, losing to Spain, having initially taken over from Ciro Ferrara a year ago. However, he has informed Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giancarlo Abete of his intention to leave, paving the way for Di Biagio's promotion from his role as U20 boss.
"I explained to president Abete why I opted not to renew the deal with the Italian federation," explained Mangia. "I'm 39 now and I need a different experience, I would like to train on a day-by-day basis, something that would be impossible for a national team coach."
Former S.S. Lazio, FC Internazionale Milano and AS Roma midfielder Di Biagio, 42, has been at the U20 helm since 2011 and will now lead the Azzurrini in their bid to qualify for the 2015 U21 finals in the Czech Republic. They start qualifying at home to Belgium on 5 September in a section containing Cyprus, Northern Ireland and Serbia.
