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Italy boss Zoff quits after politician's criticism
By Jude Webber
ROME (Reuters)(DS) - Dino Zoff has quit as Italy coach after opposition centre- right
leader Silvio Berlusconi criticised his tactics in Italy's Euro 2000 final defeat by
France.
"I am not taking lessons in dignity from Berlusconi," Zoff told a news conference
24 hours after the AC Milan president slammed his strategy as "undignified".
"I don't understand why someone has to undermine the work of someone else. I
will reply to Berlusconi personally."
Visibly angry, Zoff said Berlusconi had offended him and he had not slept on
Monday night after returning from Brussels.
Berlusconi, in comments that jarred sharply with most other reactions to the
Azzurri's performance, said he was indignant Zoff had not assigned a man to mark
French playmaker Zinedine Zidane, saying the outcome would have been different if
he had.
"We could have won and we definitely should have," Berlusconi said. "Even an
amateur would have realised and would have won, by stopping Zidane...A
professional coach cannot fail to see certain things. It was unworthy," he said.
Zoff, Italy's goalkeeper in the victorious 1982 World Cup side, has been coach
since just after the 1998 World Cup.
He exceeded all expectations by taking Italy to the Euro 2000 final. They lost 2-1
to France in dramatic fashion, conceding an injury time equaliser and the subsequent
"golden goal".
"I've had to take decisions and I know that I'll lose out in the long run," the usually
taciturn Zoff said.
"I know what will happen. People will say I acted too hastily. I know I can't win, I've
got experience of that," he said.
Berlusconi, who is tipped by many to win a general election due next year, said he
was flabbergasted by Zoff's decision to quit.
"I can't believe it. I have never offended anyone, least of all Zoff," the billionaire
media mogul said.
"I did not denigrate his work. I made a tactical criticism wich I'm sticking to."
A Football Federation spokesman confirmed Zoff had quit.
Asked whether the federation would accept his resignation, the spokesman said: "I
think so."
By Jude Webber
ROME (Reuters)(DS) - Dino Zoff has quit as Italy coach after opposition centre- right
leader Silvio Berlusconi criticised his tactics in Italy's Euro 2000 final defeat by
France.
"I am not taking lessons in dignity from Berlusconi," Zoff told a news conference
24 hours after the AC Milan president slammed his strategy as "undignified".
"I don't understand why someone has to undermine the work of someone else. I
will reply to Berlusconi personally."
Visibly angry, Zoff said Berlusconi had offended him and he had not slept on
Monday night after returning from Brussels.
Berlusconi, in comments that jarred sharply with most other reactions to the
Azzurri's performance, said he was indignant Zoff had not assigned a man to mark
French playmaker Zinedine Zidane, saying the outcome would have been different if
he had.
"We could have won and we definitely should have," Berlusconi said. "Even an
amateur would have realised and would have won, by stopping Zidane...A
professional coach cannot fail to see certain things. It was unworthy," he said.
Zoff, Italy's goalkeeper in the victorious 1982 World Cup side, has been coach
since just after the 1998 World Cup.
He exceeded all expectations by taking Italy to the Euro 2000 final. They lost 2-1
to France in dramatic fashion, conceding an injury time equaliser and the subsequent
"golden goal".
"I've had to take decisions and I know that I'll lose out in the long run," the usually
taciturn Zoff said.
"I know what will happen. People will say I acted too hastily. I know I can't win, I've
got experience of that," he said.
Berlusconi, who is tipped by many to win a general election due next year, said he
was flabbergasted by Zoff's decision to quit.
"I can't believe it. I have never offended anyone, least of all Zoff," the billionaire
media mogul said.
"I did not denigrate his work. I made a tactical criticism wich I'm sticking to."
A Football Federation spokesman confirmed Zoff had quit.
Asked whether the federation would accept his resignation, the spokesman said: "I
think so."