FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio says he was 'aware' Antonio Conte's Azzurri contract was meant to last two years.
The Italy Coach sparked a media storm by announcing in advance that he will leave the national team after Euro 2016 and work at Chelsea instead.
Tavecchio, however, appears to have taken the news without too much of a shock.
FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio says he was 'aware' Antonio Conte's Azzurri contract was meant to last two years.
The Italy Coach sparked a media storm by announcing in advance that he will leave the national team after Euro 2016 and work at Chelsea instead.
Tavecchio, however, appears to have taken the news without too much of a shock.
“In 2014 we prepared a two-year contract for Conte and we knew exactly how long the deal was intended to last,” he told Radio 1. “We were hoping he could stay, but we knew the terms and the duration. I don't think the relationship with the clubs was decisive in his announcement.
"We respected FIFA's standards, when the clubs' games allowed it. I think Conte just misses the daily work of the Coach.
“I remember the great results of the national team in 1982 and 2006. We won with a federal structure, a philosophy that distinctly belongs to the Azzurri school and that is not dependent on the clubs. This structure could be put in place again, because I was planning on setting it up even before Conte.
“I haven't considered [Azzurri U21 Coach Luigi] Di Biagio, nor made any sort of deal with him. What matters is the national team's interest, and not mine, or Conte's, or Di Biagio's.
“At Coverciano we are investing in the infrastructure.
“I hope [Italy team manager Gabriele] Oriali will stay in spite of Conte's farewells. In any case, we can't guarantee the same salaries to the next coaching staff.”