Roberto Baggio quits director post at Italian football federation

Roberto Baggio (GETTY IMAGES)

Roberto Baggio resigned as the Italian football federation's technical director, saying he was not permitted to do the job he wanted to do.

Italy's talisman as they finished third and second in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups was appointed to the role after the Azzurri flopped as holders by going out in the group stage of the 2010 edition.

His brief was to reinvigorate the Italian game and boost the country's poor track record of blooding youngsters.

"I presented my project in December 2011, 900 pages, but they remained empty words. I don't like just sitting on a chair but to do things, therefore reluctantly I have decided to leave," the 45-year-old said.