Fabio Capello urges Italy to follow Klopp's style after World Cup shock

Fabio Capello has claimed that imitating Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola's style of play has led to Italy's World Cup downfall and urged the Azzurri to follow Jurgen Klopp's instead.

Italy missed out on their second successive World Cup after they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to North Macedonia in their World Cup play-off clash.

It will almost certainly spark an inquest in Italy, with the failure to qualify for Qatar coming just nine months after their Euro 2020 victory.

Capello insisted that the Azzurri do not have the technique to follow the 'Spanish model' and it led to their World Cup agony.

'Italian football has imitated Guardiola for 15 years,' Capello told Sky Sport Italia, via Football Italia.

'There were no vertical passes or physical strength, there is no habit to making challenges. On the other hand, we should follow Jurgen Klopp's playing style.

'The only ones doing that in Italy are Atalanta and look at their results. Vincenzo Italiano is trying something similar, same as Alexander Blessin at Genoa who is offering even something more than Klopp.

'The German way is the model to follow, we don't have the technique to look at the Spanish one.

'There is a high pace in European competition and we are not accustomed to it,' the ex-coach continued.

'There are not enough young Italian players, but there is a wrong idea at its base. We are the country of the back pass to the goalkeeper.

'Victor Osimhen, Romelu Lukaku and Tammy Abraham were just normal strikers abroad. They became champions in Italy. This should raise some questions.

'Sometimes, I am surprised to read some stats. 'That player made 45 passes…' Ok, but how many were key passes? How many of those passes were useful?'

Manager Roberto Mancini's contract is not set to expire until 2026 but he could decide to step down following Italy's humiliation.

Italy great Fabio Cannavaro has been linked with replacing Mancini, but President of the Italian Football Federation Gabriele Gravina hopes he will decide to remain in charge.