THERE WAS a time when English football glanced enviously across Europe to Italy, viewing its league as the epitome of glamour, cosmopolitanism and affluence. Italy had the world’s leading players, the most passionate and colourful supporters and the financial clout to attract top talent. Furthermore, its clubs, AC Milan, Internazionale and Juventus, among others, represented the European elite. That was in the 1980s and 1990s, when English football was on its knees, tainted by hooliganism, declining attendances and run-down stadiums. The situation has changed dramatically, as this season’s UEFA Champions League demonstrated – four English teams in the last eight with just Juventus representing Italy. In many ways, Italy’s Serie A provided something of a blueprint for how people wanted English football to develop.…