FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Cesare Maldini is betting that nearly half a century in football will see him right in his first and last World Cup finals as Italy’s coach.

Maldini, 66, got the top job in December 1996 on the strength of his track record at Under-21 level, following Arrigo Sacchi’s resignation in the wake of the Italian fiasco at Euro ‘96.

Now he prepares for his first ever major tournament in the senior hot seat, hoping to repeat the success he once witnessed as Enzo Bearzot’s deputy at the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain.

As a player, Maldini enjoyed success at club level with AC Milan, but never really cut it on the international stage. He spent 12 years with Milan (1954-66), winning the Italian league title four times and becoming the first Italian to hold the European Cup aloft, when his team beat Eusebio’s Benfica at Wembley in 1963.

However, he was only capped 14 times by Italy in his whole career and he moved into coaching in 1967, in charge of Milan’s youth team. Maldini took over the top job from 1970-74, as Milan won the Italian Cup twice and the European Cup Winners’ Cup once, before finally leaving the club.

After five seasons in the wilderness with Foggia, Ternana and Parma, he joined the national federation in 1980, and took over the Under-21s in 1986. It proved to be a shrewd move as Maldini guided Italy to three consecutive victories in the European championships — 1992, 1994 and 1996.

He built up a good relationship with the youngsters, several of whom he will be taking to France, and also won the federation’s vote when it came to replacing Sacchi.

Maldini’s national team, captained by son Paolo, has so far been solid but not sparkling—with seven wins, six draws and one defeat to England. It was good enough to qualify, but they will have to do better in France.