Mancini: 'Italy the love of my life, I hope fans can forgive me'

Roberto Mancini admits leaving Italy was a huge mistake and misunderstanding that he regrets. ‘It’s like losing the love of your life. I will try to make the team play so well they can forgive me.’

The chaotic last three weeks saw Paolo Maldini appointed technical director and Leonardo his special advisor, tasked with finding a new coach.

When Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola turned down the job, they had offered it to Andrea Pirlo, only for that to be scuppered by his global brand ambassador role for a Russian betting company that is banned in Italy.

Maldini and Leonardo preferred to resign rather than look beyond their list, so FIGC President Giovanni Malagò started from scratch, hiring Mancini as CT and Ranieri as technical director.

They were both presented to the media in a press conference this evening.

Inevitably, the focus was on how Mancini walked away from the Italy job the first time in 2023 to take over as the Saudi Arabia national team coach.

Mancini has second chance with Italy ENSCHEDE, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 15: Head coach of Italy Roberto Mancini attends before the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 semifinal match between Spain and Italy at FC Twente Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Enschede, Netherlands. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) “I wanted to save you the trouble, as I imagine you are all clamouring to ask the same question,” said Mancini at the start of the press conference before opening it up to the gathered journalists.

“What happened three years ago was a lack of communication between President Gabriele Gravina and myself, because if we had talked face to face, it would’ve gone differently.

“The Nazionale is very important, and it’s like losing the love of your life. It means you made mistakes. It doesn’t matter how well you did before, you evidently did something wrong.

“I am sorry for everything that happened over the last three years, but fate and Malagò have given me the chance to try again. I will try to bring the Nazionale back to where it belongs.”

epa09339259 Players of Italy celebrate after winning the UEFA EURO 2020 final between Italy and England in London, Britain, 11 July 2021. EPA-EFE/Michael Regan / POOL (RESTRICTIONS: For editorial news reporting purposes only. Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage. Photographs published in online publications shall have an interval of at least 20 seconds between the posting.) There was an outcry of frustration and irritation from many at news that Italy would be taking a step backwards by recalling Mancini, even if he was the last to win silverware with EURO 2020.

“I want to put out a team capable of doing what we did in 2021. The squad is there, the talent is there and young too, so playing good and positive football is our objective,” added Mancini.

“I am the coach of the Nazionale, I am well aware there will be people against me. I will try to make the team play so well that they fall back in love and maybe can forgive me for what happened.”

Curiously, Ranieri had been offered the Italy coaching job last year, when he was seeing out the season with Roma.

“I am thankful that Ranieri turned down the opportunity last year, as it means we can both be here now. I already clarified the situation with Gravina, and I took responsibility for it too.”

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) Has Mancini got a clause to ensure he doesn’t just walk out early again this time?

“I was here for five years the first time, and I was very happy, in my preferred role. We signed a four-year contract now, I hope to win one or two trophies, and to hopefully stay even after that, if possible.”

He was recalled because Italy failed to qualify for three consecutive editions of the World Cup, the 2022 one under Mancini’s watch.

Head coach of Italy Roberto Mancini, Team manager Gabriele Oriali and Assistant coach Alberico Evani look on during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group A match between Italy and Wales at Olimpico Stadium on June 20, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) “I remember when we started last time, 90-95 per cent of the journalists considered us the seventh or eighth best team in Europe. If we had 30 wins and seven draws, and Spain only just broke our unbeaten record, it means we did something good,” he noted.

“If Italy go to the World Cup, we become one of the teams to beat. Even if we are not favourites, we become dangerous in those tournaments. We will try to put together a squad that can qualify for the Euros, after the Nations League, and then think about the World Cup.”