Cesare Prandelli vows to stay with Italy

Cesare Prandelli has insisted that he will remain as manager of the Italian national team following speculation that he was planning to step down.

The 54-year-old sparked questions over his future with the Azzurri after claiming that he missed the day-to-day running of club management.

Despite his initial comments, Prandelli has admitted that he wants to stay on following Italy's 4-0 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2012 final last night.

"The project continues," Sky Sports News quotes Prandelli as saying. "I did have moments when I had certain thoughts, but the feeling with the Federation has always been really good.

"Of course in my choice, this defeat is also a factor, the impossibility of leaving like this. This is a fascinating project, difficult but fascinating."

Prandelli became the Italy boss in 2010.