Italian soccer chief praises Prandelli's work

Italy Soccer Association (FIGC) president Giancarlo Abete has praised Cesare Prandelli for doing a good job as the head coach of the Azzurri.

"We are aware of the work that he has done in recent years - second at Euro 2012, third at the Confederations Cup," Xinhua quoted Abete as saying.

"He's also done tremendous stuff in terms of initiatives put in place and positives messages to the players and the media," the FIGC chief said.

Prandelli signed a two-year contract extension with the FIGC which will keep him at the helm of Italy until the 2016 European Championship in France.

Abete said the FIGC have confidence in Prandelli so that they offered him a new contract.

"The renewal of Prandelli's contract is a signal for the future," he told reporters. "There is great confidence in his work and in his staff," he said.