ROME (Reuters) - Dino Zoff says he is sticking to his decision to quit as Italy coach despite attempts by his national football federation to make him change his mind.

'I want to stand by this decision like a man,' Zoff told reporters on his way out of a 90-minute meeting with Italian Football Federation president Luciano Nizzola.

Zoff, who as goalkeeper captained Italy to their last World Cup victory in 1982, said Nizzola had 'done his best' to change his mind.

The taciturn but popular Zoff resigned on Tuesday, saying he was insulted by opposition centre- right leader Silvio Berlusconi's criticism of his tactics in the Euro 2000 final against France.

Nizzola told a packed news conference wich followed his meeting with Zoff that he thought he had overreacted to Berlusconi's remarks. 'I think they both made a mistake,' he said.

'We tried to convince him to stay by saying he had created a united team, the result was good, the people were enthusiastic.

'When the team arrived from Brussels fans at the airport said: 'It does not matter, for us you are the true champions.'

Berlusconi, who is also president of AC Milan, had called Zoff's strategy against France 'undignified'.

Italy, who reached the final against all expectations, lost 2-1 after leading 1-0. France equalised 70 seconds before the end of full time and won through a 'golden goal'.

Berlusconi, whose criticism jarred with most other reactions in Italy to the Azzurri's performance, said it was amateurish not to have man-marked French playmaker Zinedine Zidane.

Berlusconi said on Tuesday he was flabbergasted with Zoff's resignation and refused to apologise, saying his criticism was a legitimate comment on strategy, not a personal attack.

The resignation sparked a chorus of support for Zoff from players, politicians and business leaders.

'Zoff slams the door. Italy shouts against Berlusconi,' read Wednesday's headline of Italy's sports bible, La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.

The national football federation has opened an inquiry to see if there are grounds to take action against Berlusconi as AC Milan president.

Nizzola said the federation had not yet thought about substitutes, adding: 'We thought we could convince Zoff to stay.'

Italy must appoint a coach before the Italy-Hungary World Cup qualifier on September 2.

Former Fiorentina coach Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli, a former team mate of Zoff who coached the under-21 side to victory in June's European championship in Slovakia, emerged as early front-runners.