It’s official, Gian Piero Ventura has so far enjoyed a better start than Enzo Bearzot, Marcello Lippi and Arrigo Sacchi, with his impressive statistics throughout his first year as Azzurri coach speaking for themselves. During World Cup qualifiers up until now, the coach has picked up the best-ever points average for Italy (2.66), leading the pack ahead of Arrigo Sacchi (2,41), Ferruccio Valcareggi (2,40) and Marcello Lippi (2,35). Taking into account the first ten matches of Italy coaches from over the past 40 years, Ventura is currently top of the list with 23 points, sitting alongside Azeglio Vicini and Giovanni Trapattoni.

As a result of his positive work thus far, the head coach two weeks ago had his National Team contract extended until 2020. Following a debut friendly defeat to France, Ventura then enjoyed a nine-game streak of positive results (seven wins and two draws against Spain and Germany), while as of now Italy are coming off the back of a run of four wins, without taking into account the emerging youth team’s 8-0 victory over San Marino.

During his first 12 months as Azzurri coach, Gian Piero Ventura has also achieved another important goal, as he has managed to significantly enlarge the group of young Italian players who are capable of making the step up to the senior side. This generational change is vital should the Azzurri remain at the top of world football. Work put in over a number of training camps has been crucial for the cause and these will also take place over the course of next season. During four camps from November to May, a total of 46 players were called up (38 from Serie A and eight from Serie B), with the cycle eventually ending with a friendly against San Marino on May 31st. So far, eleven players have made their Azzurri debut under Ventura, who has relied upon 37 players and has successfully reduced the average age of the National side. From a squad average of 31 years during Italy vs. France in September 2016, it was then reduced to 29.6 years for Italy vs. Liechtenstein on June 2017. The lowest came during a friendly against the Netherlands in March, which had a remarkable average of 26.7

Source:  figc.it

VENTURA’S RECORD
Points record for all Italy coaches over their first 10 games: 23 points (as matched by Vicini And Trapattoni)

	Coach	Pt	G
	Ventura, Vicini, Trapattoni	23	10
	Prandelli	21	10
	Lippi M. (1°), Sacchi, Zoff	20	10
	Conte, Lippi (2°)	19	10
	Bearzot, Donadoni, Maldini C.	17	10

Best points average for all coaches in World Cup qualifiers

	Coach	Period	G	PT	Average
	Ventura G.	2016-2017	6	16	2,66
	Sacchi	1992 – 1993 and 1996	12	29	2,41
	Valcareggi	1968 – 1969 and 1972-1973	10	24	2,40
	Lippi	2004 – 2005 and 2008 – 2009	20	47	2,35
	Bearzot*	1976 – 1977	14	32	2,28
	Trapattoni	2000 -2001	8	18	2,25
	Prandelli	2012 – 2013	10	22	2,20
	Maldini C.*	1997	8	16	2,00
	Fabbri	1964 – 1965	6	13	2,16