Mancini wants to be Italy coach again: ‘I made a wrong choice'
Mancini wants to be Italy coach again: 'I made a wrong choice'
Former Italy boss Roberto Mancini admits he's open to coaching the Azzurri again after Luciano Spalletti's dismissal: 'Sometimes, wrong decisions are made.'
Mancini stepped down as the Nazionale coach in September 2023, becoming the coach of the Saudi Arabia national team only a few weeks later.
Advertisement
The 60-year-old only remained in charge for 18 games until October 2024.
Today, he explained his Italy exit once again and admitted he's open to returning.
Mancini explains his Italy exit and offers an apology
AL RAYYAN, QATAR – JANUARY 25: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia, reacts during the AFC Asian Cup Group F match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand at Education City Stadium on January 25, 2024, in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by)
'These situations happen in football; the problem was that two or three of them piled up,' Mancini told Gazzetta.
'It's fair to say that if Gravina and I had talked more often during those weeks, to clear things up, none of this would have happened. Sometimes, wrong decisions are made.
'It's true that I no longer felt the same level of trust as before, but I should have spoken to the president about it,' Mancini continued.
Advertisement
'I could have done that, and it's my fault. Today, who knows, we may still be working together, trying to reach the World Cup. Maybe, after winning the Euros for a second time.'
Mancini wants Italy return
Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Italy interacts with Alberigo Evani, Assistant Coach of Italy during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between Italy and Austria at Wembley Stadium at Wembley Stadium on June 26, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Tallis – Pool/Getty Images)
Why would he return?
'There's nothing better than coaching the national team,' Mancini admitted.
'I've won with clubs, but winning with Italy is something else entirely. Also, you always want to return to where you were happy. I felt amazing at Coverciano; the atmosphere was truly fantastic.
Be the Italy coach – Football Italia writers pick ideal Italy XI: choose yours'
'There's no doubt it would be a great challenge, a big risk. But sometimes you need to take risks, right?'
Mancini won the Euros in 2021, but faced elimination from the World Cup qualifying playoffs just a few months later. During his tenure as the Azzurri boss, Mancio said he dreamt of winning the World Cup with La Nazionale.
Advertisement
'It's the only debut I feel with the fans. As I've always said, I would have loved, and I'd still love, to win a World Cup,' he confirmed.
Mancini feels he and Gravina can clear the air
BOLOGNA, ITALY – JUNE 4: President Gabriele Gravina of the FIGC looks on during the international Friendly match between Italy and Turkiye at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium on June 4, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by)
'I've said for a few months that I made a wrong choice and I wouldn't make it again. I said that back when no one expected it.'
Mancini is confident he'd find a way to clear the air with FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.
'I don't think it would be a problem,' argued Mancini.
'We already met and spoke in the past. The president knows mistakes happen in life. The most important thing is that we understood each other on that point, regardless of what happens next.'
Advertisement
Has he spoken to some of his ex-Italy players?
'Not in the last few days, but it hasn't been long since we last talked,' Mancini concluded.
Football Italia understands that Gennaro Gattuso, a 2006 Italy World Cup winner, is now the leading candidate to replace Luciano Spalletti as Italy coach. The former midfielder has already spoken to Italy Delegation Chief Gianluigi Buffon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Arsenal 18yo confirms he's held talks over loan move
Arsenal goalkeeper Lucas Nygaard has revealed that the club feel he's ready for a loan move, and he's hoping to secure one after the u21 European Championships. Photo via Lucas Nygaard has had an eventful first season with Arsenal, but not always for the right reasons. The 18-year-old goalkeeper had a couple of broken bones in his debut campaign, arguably denying him a first-team debut when the opportunity arose in the League Cup in September. Advertisement 16-year-old Jack Porter ended up starting that game against Bolton Wanderers instead, but Nygaard did make 12 appearances for the Arsenal academy throughout 2024/25. Those games were enough to earn Nygaard a spot in the Denmark u21 squad for the European Championships this summer, which kicked off on Wednesday. Photo via Nygaard on Instagram Speaking to the media ahead of the Championships, Nygaard revealed that Arsenal are planning a loan move for his next step into senior football. 'We've been talking, me and Arsenal, for the past six months about me going out on loan,' Nygaard said (via Sport Witness). 'Both they and I feel that I'm ready to play some senior football and get the development that comes with it. I hope that will happen. Advertisement 'It could be anywhere, but I would also like to return to Denmark. Something in the first division would be really cool, so we're looking at that too. 'I feel ready to come back and play senior football.' Photo via For the time being, the focus is on the u21 Euros, which will run until at least June 18th for Nygaard and Denmark. If they make it out of the group, Nygaard could remain on international duty until June 28th at the latest, the day of the final. Once the tournament is turn, Nygaard's attentions will turn to finding a new home for the 2025/26 campaign. With any luck, a few positive appearances at the u21 Euros could help that process along.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Nico Raskin earns swooning review as Rangers mate showered in love amid £5m transfer exit push
Beaming Rudi Garcia has waxed lyrical about game-changing Nico Raskin after the Rangers star once again made a telling impact for his national team. The 24-year-old capped off the best season of his career with a game-changing cameo in the 4-3 win over Wales as he helped re-address the balance after the Red Devils coughed up a 3-0 lead in Brussels. Advertisement Raskin was a surprise omission from the starting XI but made the most of his 15-minute cameo with the game all square before Kevin De Bruyne broke Welsh hearts. READ MORE: The 3 goalkeeping options facing Rangers as Russell Martin can stick, twist or clear the decks READ MORE: Cyriel Dessers minimum Rangers transfer fee revealed as AEK set to spend big on statement signing The Ibrox star – expected to garner serious transfer interest this summer with two years left on his deal – once again received a glowing appraisal from Garcia. The Belgium boss, speaking on a raft of changes during the game, said: "It didn't prove me right at first, but it was better afterwards. The two periods of change were important, by the way (Nicolas Raskin then Alexis Saelemaekers). It's positive because the players proved they could move forward. Advertisement "Nicolas Raskin's entry (in place of Dodi Lukebakio, who had already come on) was important because we needed fighters on the pitch. Jeremy Doku? He was the catalyst. He's reached a high level in the last two matches." And even when saluting national icon De Bruyne, Garcia couldn't help but once again lavish praise on Raskin and his telling impact in the closing stages of a vital World Cup qualifying win. He added: "It's symbolic Kevin De Bruyne ultimately scored the fourth. Nicolas Raskin 's return helped us get back in control of the game. He stabilised the team, and Alexis Saelemaekers, who can do a bit of everything, helped us finish well." Advertisement Meanwhile, Cyriel Dessers parked frenzied speculation surrounding his own future as he married sweetheart Rosalie de Ruysscher in Italy over the weekend. That would be a £500k profit on the Nigeria international under Michael Beale after he was signed from Cremonese in the summer of 2023.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ange Postecolgou sent Scotland World Cup SOS as Chris Sutton produces a Hotline first from Rangers fans
Scotland are not much use in friendlies and it looks like Steve Clarke is fast running out of pals in the Tartan Army. Fans hot the Hotline calling for the manager to go in the wake of Friday night's Iceland shocker – and they already know who they want next. Advertisement It's former Celtic recently punted Spurs boss Ange Postecgolou they want rescue the national side's fortunes. READ MORE: Russell Martin was shellshocked by Rangers as player but I've spoken to him and he knows what isn't acceptable as boss READ MORE: I fear Russell Martin is slow Rangers burner and not raging inferno fans want to torch Celtic immortality – Hugh Keevins Rick Hart emailed: "Surely to heavens we cannot allow this man to take Scotland into the World Cup. He is a dinosaur who picks the wrong team every time, has no passion and just going through the motions to get his wages. 'We need a young dynamic manager who will kick all these so called players off the team. I for one will not watch another match while Clarke is in charge, he is making us into a laughing stock.' Advertisement Lewis McMeekin emailed: 'I'm sorry but Stevie has to go. Same old tactics and it doesn't matter who play play, nothing is different. Every country in the world plays young talent but not us. Man up Stevie, please leave and give us a chance.' Dr Robert S Pender, via email, said: 'The performance last night was down to the manager. His tactics were miles off. We have players playing at top level but put into the hands of Clarke they don't perform. The message is simple – a change of manager ASAP.' Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, said: 'Surely Clarke has taken Scotland to depths below the abyss and he must go now.' Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: "Steve Clarke needs to go and the SFA need to go for Big Ange Postecoglou. He is the man to restore our national team.' Advertisement David Clark, Glasgow, said: 'Rangers fan here, I think the next man Scotland should be looking at is big Ange. Some fresh ideas needed in that squad, would suit Postecoglou with his age and experience. Clarke's time is surely up now, same old rinse and repeat.' Steve Clarke -Credit:PA Record Sport's Chris Sutton hit out at Rangers fans' reaction to Russell Martin getting the head coach gig. And Forbes McGarv, Doncaster, said: 'Well this must be a first, I agree with Chris Sutton. We have appointed Russell Martin and I have never seen so many negative comments. 'Give the guy a chance. We were never going to get a manager like Mourinho or Benitez and personally I am not sure I would have wanted either. Advertisement 'My preference would have been Barry Ferguson and his backrooms team. That didn't happen so I will give Russell Martin my 100 percent backing.' But Philip Borland emailed: 'Can you please tell Sutton us Rangers fans are not deluded. The only reason Russell Martin got the job is because the cheapskates at Ibrox didn't want to put their hands in their pockets and pay over the top for someone else. I want Martin to prove me wrong but I don't rate him as a manager.' Fraser Davidson, Glasgow, said: 'The new owners are just in the door with new 'manager' and stating a new approach by buying players with development and sell on value. Yet first port of call is 32-year-old Conor Coady with zero sell on value and best days behind him! Groundhog days at Ibrox as usual.' And Liam Birney, Paisley, said: 'You have to laugh at the misplaced optimism of some of the Bluenose contributors on the Hotline. 'Do they not realise they are up against an elite manager who missed just out on another Treble on penalties, a club that if on a different financial planet and awarded the Best Run Club in the UK by the Fair Game Index? Dream on guys, but keep on supporting Next Season FC!'
