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| Christian Panucci |
The Albanian Football Federation has stopped collaboration with the coach Christian Panucci.
The decision was made after the end of yesterday's challenge at Loro Borici stadium in Shkodra, against Turkey, where the Albania is defeated with the score of 0-2.The weak results that followed the Albania throughout 2018, but also at this beginning of the Euro 2020 eliminatory edition, have influenced this decision.
In the official announcement of the FSHF, it is said that for the match with Andorra, which will take place on Monday in the transfer, the team will be led by Ervin Bulku and Sulejman Mema.
We remind that Bulku has been Panucci's assistant, while Mema is approaching to help the former midfielder with his experience in the challenge with Andorra.
Christian Panucci took the lead of the Albanian Rossoneri in the Summer of 2017, replacing Gianni De Biasin, while debuting in the matches against Lichtenstein and Macedonia.
Panucci left with the first plane to Rome on Saturday morning. Moments before departing he gave a brief interview to Top Channel.
"It was the president's decision and I admit it. It was a fantastic experience and I thank all of Albania. I worked in complete calm thanks to President Duka, but at the end the results were not good and the president decided to take me away. It was something very important to be a trainer of a country, therefore I owe everyone a THANKS," Panucci said.
The coach from Roma led the Albanian national team for 15 games, of which 9 defeats, 4 wins and 2 draws.
"There is always a guilty one and in this case I am responsible. People suffer when Albania loses, actually I also suffer. However, I have a lot of respect for all Albanians. I thanked all the players this morning for everything they have given me until the last moment. I wish they do good things and will always be in my heart," added the former coach of Albania.
To the question as to whether this team has a chance to do better and whether this was the right decision, Panuci responds ...
"I wish this. I hope this is a fair decision, but only time will tell."
On the other hand, the name of Edoardo Reja is the first in the list of the Albanian Football Federation leader Armand Duka, while the 73-year-old Italian was present at Loro Boriçi yesterday to follow closely the meeting between Albania and Turkey.
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| Edoardo Reja |