Calzona: ‘Italy the priority now after Slovakia, I want return to club football’

FLORENCE, ITALY – MAY 19: Francesco Calzona manager of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A TIM match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Stadio Artemio Franchi on May 19, 2024 in Florence, Italy.(Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“National team football gives you a great deal, but it takes away a lot too,” Calzona told Sky Sport Italia Unplugged.

“There are only games every three or four months, then when you do have the players together, there is very little time to get any work done or give an identity to the team.

“We had 22 out of 27 players spread out over various different leagues, so getting them together was really difficult, but a satisfying experience.

“Club football is a whole other thing, you are on the field every day and this is what someone in our profession really wants to be doing.”

Considering he is now a free agent after refusing a new contract with Slovakia, how does he see his next position?

“I would like to go back to club football, and Italy has the priority, although I don’t mind another experience abroad too. It was a fantastic experience in Slovakia.

“Serie A is difficult tactically, as the coaches are very well-prepared, there are so many talented bosses here.”

EMPOLI, ITALY – APRIL 20: Francesco Calzona manager of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Empoli FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani on April 20, 2024 in Empoli, Italy.(Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Italian football is at a crossroads, so where does Calzona feel Serie A should be making changes?

“I don’t agree that there are too many foreign players in Italy, nor that we lack homegrown talent. We need more courage to play youngsters, because if you look at the results, Italy’s youth teams are doing extremely well.

“We just need to have the patience and allow them the opportunity to make mistakes. It’s about courage, really.”

During his time at Napoli, including under Spalletti, Calzona got to work with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, now making a huge impression at Paris Saint-Germain.

“I think it is in his DNA to reach the levels he is reaching, a fantastic player with qualities that are beyond the norm. It was unfortunately not possible to keep him in Italy, but he’s a protagonist in the Champions League, and if Georgia had gone to the World Cup, you could’ve talked about him winning the Ballon d’Or.”