KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Under-16 football team manager Christopher Raj and Italy coach Luciano Spalletti said the same thing this week after a disastrous campaign.
Both said they took full responsibility for their teams' flops.
Malaysia's campaign came to a premature end at the group stage in the Asean Under-16 Asean Championship at Surakarta Stadium, Indonesia.
Malaysia finished third in Group C and failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the regional competition. Christopher's team beat timid Timor Leste 5-0, but lost 2-0 to Australia and 3-1 to Thailand.
"We gave our best effort, but we recognise there were mistakes on the field that we can rectify in the future.
"Therefore, it's unfair for criticism to be directed solely at the players. They are young and need constructive feedback to boost morale, not baseless criticism.
"As the team manager, I shoulder full responsibility for this defeat," said Christopher.
After his mea culpa, the former New Straits Times sports reporter vowed to work towards a happier ending for Malaysia.
"I assure that under my stewardship, the national squad will perform better in the 2025 Asian Cup qualifiers," said Christopher.
"I hereby take full responsibility and commit to resigning as team manager should we fail to reach the final of the 2025 Asian Cup, scheduled for October 19-26 in Laos," said Christopher.
Meanwhile Spalletti said he took full responsibility for his team's exit from the European Championship in the first knockout round after an insipid 2-0 loss against Switzerland.
"I have the responsibility," Spalletti said at the post-match press conference.
"We failed because of my team selection, it is never down to the players," Spalletti said.