ImageFollowing the stepping down of Carlo Recalcati as Italy's coach, the new man at the helm of the national team will be Simone Pianigiani. The 40-year-old coach will be in charge of the national team until July 2011 and the only thing left is the signing of a contract and the official presentation. The Federal Council of the Italian Basketball Federation already gave permission to president Dino Meneghin for the hiring.

Pianigiani, who is currently coaching Siena, began is career as an assistant coach to precisely Recalcati in the club, assuming the head coach position in 2006. With Siena, he won three league titles, an Italian Cup and three Italian Super Cups and has a win ratio of 92.8 per cent.

Italy failed to qualify for Eurobasket this summer, missing the tournament for the first time since 1963, and will also not be at the World Championships next year.

by R.Horta of basket-spot

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