ROME—Italy under-21 coach Luigi Di Biagio was promoted to take over the senior national team on a caretaker basis on Monday for friendlies against Argentina and England next month. The Azzurri have been without a coach since November, when Gian Piero Ventura was fired following a playoff loss to Sweden that ruled Italy out of the World Cup for the first time in six decades. “Di Biagio’s first job is to restore enthusiasm and dedication,” said Roberto Fabbricini, who was appointed last week as the Italian football federation’s emergency commissioner. “We’re confident he’ll be up to the job.”Italy plays Argentina in Manchester, England, on March 23 then England in London four days later.

Source: thestar February 05, 2018 19:18 UTC