Tradition-laden Serie A finally turns toward youth

By Andrew Dampf

Associated Press

Published: Thursday, March 29 2012 5:05 a.m. MDT

Inter Milan's youth team coach Andrea Stramaccioni is thrown into the air by his players after they defeated Ajax on a penalty shoot-out at the end of their NextGen Series Final soccer match at Brisbane Road stadium, London, Sunday, March 25, 2012. Inter Milan fired Claudio Ranieri on Monday March 26 and promoted Andrea Stramaccioni to direct the first team.

Sang Tan, Associated Press

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Summary

The hiring of 36-year-old Andrea Stramaccioni by Inter Milan this week has highlighted a surprising trend of younger managers in the tradition-laden Italian league.

ROME — The hiring of 36-year-old Andrea Stramaccioni by Inter Milan this week has highlighted a surprising trend of younger managers in the tradition-laden Italian league.

While the likes of Fabio Capello and Marcello Lippi are out of work, nearly all of Italy's major clubs are now guided by managers who are 50 or under.

AC Milan and Juventus continue their duel for this season's title with 44-year-old Massimiliano Allegri at the helm of Milan and 42-year-old Antonio Conte in his first year as Juventus coach.

Guided by 50-year-old Walter Mazzarri, Napoli is pushing hard for third place, while 41-year-old Luis Enrique is leading a complete youth revolution at Roma.

At Catania, 37-year-old Vincenzo Montella has the unheralded Sicilian club one spot away from the Europa League places.

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