Rome [Italy], May 29 (ANI): Interim Italy manager Silvio Baldini has launched a salvo against the country's football administration at domestic level, saying that it is in the hands of 'managers who only think of their own interests over the growth of the game', calling them out as 'scammers.

Italy, who emerged as the champions of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, is missing out on their third successive FIFA WC, having last played in the 2014 edition. This failure of the four-time champions to secure the qualification has raised questions over the system of the sport in the country.

Baldini, a veteran coach, has also now come out voicing frustration within the football system of the country, calling for local leaders to come forward for rebuilding. While the majority of the world's nations are gearing up for the World Cup, Italy is playing friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece from June 4 onwards.

Speaking ahead of the opening training session in a presser, Baldini called for a full-on overhaul of the domestic game's hierarchy. The Italian team is without a permanent head coach, with Gennaro Gattuso having stepped down after failing to secure the WC qualification.

He said, as quoted by Goal.com, 'Italian football is in the hands of managers who think only of their own interests, not the growth of the game. They focus on trading older players, not young ones, because this helps them further their own interests. I cannot deny it; I have always said this. I call some people 'scammers,' and they often hold the reins of this game. Until we have serious managers, it will be a problem.'

Several names have been linked to a move to Italy, including Antonio Conte after his departure from Napoli. Baldini dismissed the ambition to attract managers like Cesc Fabregas, who guided Como to the Champions League, or Guardiola, who earned massive success in his decade-long stint with Manchester City, saying, 'If I had to choose, I'd go for coaches with solid resumes.'

'There is no point in mentioning unattainable names like Guardiola or Fabregas; in Italy, we have plenty of skilled coaches, and the ones we hear about are absolutely capable of giving the team a strong identity. As for me, I hope whoever arrives sees me as a useful resource and not a hindrance,' he added. (ANI)