According to Milan News, citing ANSA, Zola stated that Italian football needs cooperation from all sides to provide the national team coach with the best footballing talent.

The former Chelsea player and current vice president of the Italian professional football league said during the 2026 International Fair Play Award ceremony at the Florence Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Theater that President Malagò should have everyone's support, as this is not only his personal work but also requires collective effort to benefit Italy.

He also mentioned that if Paolo Maldini were to become technical director, he is "extremely capable, intelligent, and excellent" and could help enrich Italian football, provided he is given suitable working conditions. However, Zola also said he did not want to discuss the national team coaching candidates at length because the names mentioned "are all top choices."

Regarding the ongoing FIFA World Cup, Zola frankly admitted that he was initially somewhat dissatisfied, feeling that too many matches were being played. However, he also acknowledged that it has been a very exciting FIFA World Cup so far, featuring attractive and suspenseful matches. He believes this is also related to the lower quality of defending, as the matches are more open and more enjoyable to watch.

Zola finally specifically mentioned the French team, saying that what they are currently showing "is something no other team has." Regardless of whether opinions change a week later, the French team is now "very amazing" because of their on-field quality and stability.

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