Italy: Disturbing reports paint an atmosphere of paranoia under Ventura
In the aftermath of Italy’s stunning failure to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years, reports are now surfacing which describe a “1984” like dressing room under manager Giampiero Ventura.
According to Sky Sport, the – now unemployed – manager was obsessed with the media’s coverage of the team, and was convinced there were moles in his dressing room. In a scene straight out of the “Red Scare” from years past, Ventura forced his staff to name possible moles.
This stunning account comes on the heels of reports that Ventura threatened to quit following Italy’s 1-0 first-leg loss in Sweden, a rage in which he told players to train themselves. The rebellion was eventually quelled by senior members of the squad, including Gigi Buffon and Daniele De Rossi.
However, even senior members had their own clashes with the disgraced manager. After a players only meeting, Ventura criticized his players, and tried to force Buffon, the captain, to tell a fictitious account to the media. He refused. De Rossi himself had a very public disagreement with him in the second-leg of the infamous World Cup playoff.
Between the two matches last week, players were exchanging text messages amongst each other asking whether Ventura would coach the second leg. For one day, between the matches, it seemed like a change had taken place when Ventura abruptly left in the middle of training. He returned hours later without explanation.
It was already difficult to imagine Ventura ever managing another team again, be it a club or nation. Now, it's seems to be an impossibility.