Italian Job is a golden opportunity for Alvechurch boss Long - The Redditch Standard

Italian Job is a golden opportunity for Alvechurch boss Long

Redditch Editorial 7th Nov, 2016   0

ALVECHURCH manager Ian Long is a proud Englishman – but that will not prevent him having an unlikely role with Italy’s U21s when they face the young Lions this week.

Long will be part of the backroom team helping the Azzurrini in the friendly against England at Southampton on Thursday.

The Church boss will help the Italians with their travel, kits and technical arrangements as he spends three days with the future stars of Serie A and Long says it will be a huge insight into preparing and coaching players at the highest level.

“I will be helping with all the kits and the preparations for the game at St Mary’s which will be a fantastic experience,” said Long.




“I’ll get the chance to see them train and that will give me a fantastic insight into how players at that level prepare.

“I’ve no doubt some of the players in the Italy squad will go on to become world stars in the next few years.”


Long got involved with the FA when he helped the England C team in the summer against Slovakia.

“A friend of mine was involved in helping the FA organise everything that goes on before and around the game and he recommended me,” said Long.

“I really enjoyed it. It’s an eye-opener but it’s something that will help me to improve as a manager and a coach.”

England’s young Lions, who will include Southampton’s former Birmingham City star Nathan Redmond, will play Italy as part of their build-up to next year’s Euro finals.

Interim head coach Aidy Boothroyd had handed first call-ups to Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks and Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson in a 23-man squad. Wolves duo Dominic Iorfa and Kortney Hause, Leicester City’s ex-Blues winger Demarai Gray and Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish also feature.

Italy, managed by former Italy, Roma and Inter midfielder Luidi Di Biagio, include Grealish’s team-mate, goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, in their 24-man party.

Italy will fly into Heathrow on Tuesday, then have two training sessions at Southampton’s Staplewood Centre training base before Thursday night’s fixture.

In their last nine matches with England, Italy’s youngsters have won six and drawn three.

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