Prandelli and Italian Federation President resign

Italy has fallen again at the first hurdle and, after a similar outcome at the last World Cup in South Africa, this time the failure has led to the immediate resignation of both the team's manager Cesare Prandelli and the President of the Italian Football Federation.

Prandelli took over the Italian job in May 2010 and it is Italy's double World Cup failure that has finally forced him to walk. A quick chat with the President after Tuesday's defeat to Uruguay was all it took to reach that decision.

The runners up at the last European championships are heading home from Brazil after what will be the final game in the international careers of Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon.

The Italians started well with a win over England in a bright opening game but two unexpected defeats to Costa Rica and Uruguay was all it took to knock them out at the group stage.

Italy arrived in South Africa last time out as World Champions but fell at the first stage after two draws with Paraguay and New Zealand and a 3-2 defeat to Slovakia.


/Marca/