Italy World Cup winner Zoff on Donnarumma’s howler: ‘Something is wrong’

29 May 2000: Portrait of Dino Zoff of Italy during the Italian national team squad training held at the National Team Headquarters, in Coverciano, Florence, Italy. Mandatory Credit: Claudio Villa /Allsport

Now that the Azzurri have failed to qualify for the World Cup for three consecutive times, what action should be taken to rebuild Italian football?

“First of all, you have to play according to your own strength,” Zoff replied.

“If someone isn’t that strong and tries to play as if they were, they lose. You need to adapt to the historical moment we’re living in. Without immediately aiming for big things, but instead taking smaller steps.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 19: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City looks dejected after miss kicking his clearance straight to Kai Havertz of Arsenal (not pictured), who scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The new FIGC President will be elected on June 22, 2026, and a new Italy head coach will be hired only after that, with Napoli coach Antonio Conte among the possible contenders.

“Certainly, Cone is one of the candidates, a coach with great experience, like others,” Zoff concluded.

“I didn’t want to rank them: we’re talking about high-level profiles in any case.”