I Will Turn Italy Around With Quality Players, But Give Me Time - Cesare Prandelli
Prandelli has shared his blueprints for the Azzurri...
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has promised to work hard and his first job is to turn the team's ailing fortunes around following the World Cup flop.
And, while this is his biggest job to date, his greatest task is to restore faith and belief in what was largely a failing Italy side in South Africa.
"This is surely the highest point of my career. As for the difficulties, it's best to think positive and I want to thank the president," he told the press.
"I hope to organise a team based on real human values. There are difficulties, but I want to start off right, with determination and the will to do well."
Marcello Lippi was criticised following his failure to deliver, but Prandelli feels the departing coach left him with firm ground to build.
"I don't have any recipies at the moment, just the will to start well. I want to salute Marcello Lippi, who is a World Cup winning coach," he added.
"He leaves a certain mentality behind, the players are attached to the shirt, and we have to restart from this.
"It's a programme that involves everyone: players, staff and even the media.
"What has happened has happened, I want to transform the negativity into something positive.
"We want quality players, of course the players will be debatable. We have to give strength and will to programme something interesting."
And Prandelli said it will take time to return to success. But, when questioned on who he would call, he refrained from performing a roll call.
"If we expect big results too soon then it's unlikely to happen," he said.
"I am thinking about the first call-ups for the game in September. It would be nice to see good games, as well as the possibility to improve as we go on."
"I wanted to avoid naming names because it's not fair. Those who will get called are those who deserve to be here.
"It will also be based on respect and roles. I hope to take quality players with me."