Italy's coach Gian Piero Ventura extends contract till 2020

Milan, August 11: Italy head coach Gian Piero Ventura has signed a new contract extension with the National team that presents him the steerage of the squad until the end of the 2020 European Championship, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has reported.

Former Torino manager Ventura took the Azzurri seat just a year ago when former head coach Antonio Conte decided to leave the post after the Euro. Conte drove the national team to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 however after elimination decided to quit the national team's job for a new challenge in England, with Chelsea.

After having won eight of his 11 games since taking control, Ventura was given a fresh term by FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio and the President announced the extension on Wednesday evening at a press conference.

"The president of the federation announced the extension of the national coach's contract until the next European championships (2020)," the FIGC said in a statement.

The continuation now implies that Italy have put their confidence in the 69-year-old boss for the following two major competitions, World Cup and European Cup throughout the following three years.

"I thank Tavecchio who has put his faith in me, not so much for what has been done, but in the light of what we want to do," the 69-year-old Ventura said. "It's a trust which gives me extra motivation, with the absolute conviction that we can achieve something important.

"We have three aims: qualify for the World Cup, be the surprise of the World Cup and be the favorites for the European Championship."

Italy are currently at the second position in Group G for 2018 World Cup qualifying round with five wins and a draw from six matches, however, they are just behind Spain on goal differences.

To settle out the matter, both of them will play the next qualifying round on September 2 in Madrid as they will be set to be conclusive to see who will qualify as group leaders and who should partake in a playoff.