‘Divine ponytail’ joins Azzurri set-up

Italian football legend Roberto Baggio, as expected, joined the Italian Football Federation Technical Direction (FIGC) yesterday as Italy rebuilds after a disastrous World Cup which saw the 2006 champions exit in the first round.

The 43-year-old – known as the ‘divine ponytail’ in his playing days because of his hairstyle and his conversion to buddhism – was joined by two other greats of the game.

Former national coach Arrigo Sacchi has been appointed co-ordinator of the youth teams up to U-21 level and Gianni Rivera, the first Italian to be named European player of the year, will be in charge of teaching and youth sector.

Baggio, who was also a member of the Italy side that reached the 1990 World Cup semi-finals, had earlier expressed his hope that Italy would focus on bringing on young talent.

“I dream of Italy being able to begin to cultivate great talent,” he told Rai Uno.

“But to achieve this we have to believe in the young players that are the future,” added Baggio, who retired in 2004 after a stellar career which saw him play for Fiorentina, Juventus and Milan.

Chief among the young talent Baggio believes in is Mario Balotelli, who much to the former star’s chagrin is set to join big-spending English Premier League side Manchester City from Italian champions and Champions League holders Inter.