BLUE TUESDAY

What is the Italian phrase for a complete mess? Google Translate suggests disastro totale. Most supporters simply say Azzurri. Italy rank among the pioneers of global football, a side that once captivated a young Football Daily during endless games on suburban streets while wearing a gleaming Diadora kit, yet their slide into farce remains hard to accept.

The Azzurri have missed the last three men's World Cups. Since lifting the trophy in 2006, their sole victory at the tournament came against Roy Hodgson's England. Their latest effort to appoint a coach has become a growing spectacle. Pep Guardiola received the top role but chose to take a full year away from the game. Andrea Pirlo's expected arrival then collapsed amid backlash over his latest book, which promoted a Russian betting firm. The Italian federation president blocked the move, prompting technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo to quit roles they had held for just three weeks.

Attention now turns to two former bosses: Roberto Mancini, who guided the team to Euro 2020 glory, and Antonio Conte, who reached the Euro 2016 quarter-finals. Italian outlets appear to favour Mancini, though both must weigh the usual risks of a return against the chance to rebuild. Italian football sits at a low point, yet the only path forward leads upward. At minimum, the side will reach the 2030 event once Gianni Infantino expands it to 256 teams.

France now stand as the clear opposite of Italy. After their troubled 2010 World Cup, Les Bleus have enjoyed unmatched stability, helped by Didier Deschamps holding the post for 14 of the past 16 years. Zinedine Zidane's appointment as successor came as no surprise. Deschamps once supported Zidane on the pitch at France and Juventus; now he hands over a squad of exceptional talent. Zidane's record with Real Madrid's star players, including three straight Champions League titles, points to a seamless handover. "For me it is continuity, a dream," Zidane said. "I turned down club offers during five years away because the France job was the only role I wanted." Few appear to share that enthusiasm for Italy.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"No! This is wrong, everyone gets this wrong! It was my oldest brother. In Serbia it is normal for the younger brothers to take the bride to the church. That is what I did and now everyone thinks I got married. It was Rade, not me. There are three of us - Rade is the oldest, I am the youngest and Marko is the middle one. I keep having to explain to people that I never got married. I was going around the club when we started back and people were congratulating me. I am like: 'No, I am not ready for this yet!'" - Liverpool's Milos Kerkez sets the record straight after photos from his hometown of Vrbas led to mistaken wedding congratulations.

RECOMMENDED FOLLOWING

Big Website: now on BlueSpace, TikBook, Instachat, you name it.

FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS

How refreshing to read from Gianni Infantino that those of us who fear for the future of the game should go and relax (yesterday's Quote of the Day). No mention in his message of the high ticket prices, the challenge of using costly public transport to reach stadiums, or the large profits Fifa earns from its own resale platform - and that is before we learn the full amount Fifa made to share with member nations" - John Scent.

Jermain Defoe quitting, mutually agreeing to leave or getting sacked (yesterday's Football Daily letters). There is such a lack of clarity over what happened. You might call it utter Woking nonsense (insert Sean Dyche meme)" - Derek McGee.

If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today's prizeless letter o' the day goes to ... Derek McGee. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here.

This is an extract from our daily football email ... Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.