Zola returns to the national team and will be the coordinator of Club Italia's youth activities projects.

It's now official. Gianfranco Zola is returning to the Azzurri and joining Club Italia as coordinator of youth activities projects. FIGC President Giovanni Malagò and Club Italia President Claudio Ranieri strongly supported him to complete the federal structure that oversees the management and development of all the Italian national teams. They shared this decision with Lega Pro President Matteo Marani, of which Zola will continue as deputy vice president. The former Azzurri playmaker's arrival completes the team formed by the new federation president, along with coach Roberto Mancini and technical director Claudio Ranieri, to further strengthen youth activities.  

The architect of the 'reform' that bears his name, a programmatic platform that has stimulated the employment of young footballers in Serie C, Zola (who boasts 35 appearances and 10 goals for the Azzurri) will have a broad scope of action and will focus on building the youth team pipeline, together with technical coordinator Maurizio Viscidi.
 

"His charisma, his preparation, and his commitment to young people, demonstrated over these years in Lega Pro, represent the best foundation for building our future," said FIGC President Malagò. "I thank him for accepting the role with enthusiasm, willingness, and responsibility. With Ranieri, Mancini, and Zola, we want to build a new vision for Italian football."
 

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"I thank President Malagò for choosing me for this role," Zola added, "which demonstrates the value of the project being carried out in Lega Pro with the internal structure, the clubs, and the governance of which I am a part. I place myself at the service of the Azzurri movement with satisfaction, enthusiasm, and a sense of duty, focused above all on the development and growth of new Italian talent." 

(Adnkronos)