BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
NEW Chelsea assistant coach, and former Rangers defender, Paolo Vanoli has paid tribute to the Italian FA after leaving the national set-up to link up with compatriot Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old is regarded as a rising star of coaching in Italy, initially working for Azzurri as a scout before becoming a youth coach and, ultimately, boss of the under-19 side.
Vanoli has most recently been part of Gian Piero Ventura’s staff with the senior squad – but departed that role earlier this month to take up a role as one of Conte’s assistant coaches at the English champions.
He told vivoazzurro.it: “After eight unforgettable seasons, the time has come to say goodbye and thank the Federation for this great opportunity for my professional growth and for having given me the chance to contribute to the development of Italian football and our youth teams.
“I thank all of the people I’ve had the pleasure of working with during a shared unforgettable experience which I’ll always keep with me and I’ll relive it every time one of our national teams takes to the pitch.”
Vanoli, who won two caps for Italy, spent a season with Rangers in 2003/04.
He also starred for Parma, scoring in their Uefa Cup final win over Marseille in 1999, and turned out for the likes of Venezia, Verona, Bologna and Fiorentina during a journeyman career.
