Klinsmann: Yamal Would Play in Serie B If He Were in Italy
T.E (Elbotola)
05 April 2026at10:37
German coach Jürgen Klinsmann believes the Italian national team is paying the price for the absence of its young players, following their failure to qualify once again for the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking to Italian network Rai, Klinsmann stated: "In Italy, Yamal and Musiala could have played in the second division (Serie B) to gain experience."
He added: "Italy is paying the price for its lack of leaders, skilled players, and also for the absence of trust in young players."
The four-time world champions, the Italian national team, had lost on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European play-offs for the World Cup, thus being denied qualification for the global tournament.
Q&A
What did Jürgen Klinsmann say about Italian football and young players?
Jürgen Klinsmann stated that Italy is paying the price for not trusting its young players. He controversially suggested that talents like Yamal and Musiala would be playing in Serie B to gain experience if they were in Italy.
Why does Klinsmann believe Italy is struggling with its national team?
Klinsmann believes Italy's national team is struggling due to a significant absence of young leaders and skilled players. He attributes their recent failure to qualify for the World Cup to a general lack of trust in developing youth talent within the Italian system.
How does Klinsmann's criticism relate to Italy's World Cup qualification?
Klinsmann's criticism directly relates to Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, highlighting a systemic issue. He suggests that the lack of opportunities for young players and a deficit of leadership contributed to their recent elimination in the European play-offs.
