Former World Cup star Roberto Baggio has quit his post at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) claiming the absence of allotted finances had stopped him carrying out his role.
Baggio, known affectionately as the 'Divine Ponytail' during his storied career, was appointed to the post of Technical Director at the end of Italy's 2010 World Cup debacle.
Baggio was to overhaul the national youth squad set-up, but he announced his resignation late on Wednesday claiming he was unable to fully carry out his duties.
"I couldn't work," Baggio was quoted as saying in a report on the FIGC website. "My 900 page project was basically left on the sidelines."
"We were allocated 10 million euros, but at the time of speaking I've yet to see a penny. Since it doesn't look like we are making progress, I have no choice."
FIGC president Giancarlo Abete said he had not been surprised by Baggio's decision, but claimed the former Juventus and Italy striker had been sidetracked by attending coaching courses in recent years.
"I'm not surprised by his announcement, I had expected it," said Abete.
"Because of his international commitments... he never had the chance to devote much time to his work.
"In the past two years he's been enrolled in a number of coaching courses."
Baggio notably played for Fiorentina, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan but is perhaps best remembered for the penalty miss which sent Italy packing from the 1998 World Cup finals at the quarter-final stage against France.
Source: AFP
