Mancini returns to Coverciano but avoids Italy return talk

Roberto Mancini was back at Coverciano on Monday to accept an award from the Unione Stampa Sportiva Italiana (Italian Union of the Sports Press), but refused to speak about the reports linking him with a potential return to the Italy national team set-up: ‘Next question?’

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here Mancini on Italy disappointment, promising youngsters and return rumours

The former Italy national team head coach, currently in Qatar with Al-Sadd, had been among the first few names linked with a move to replace Gennaro Gattuso as head coach of the Italy national team . Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri are the current frontrunners for the vacant CT role.

Mancini was back on home soil on Monday to accept an award at the ‘Inside the Sport 2026’ event at Coverciano, and took a few moments to answer questions from journalists regarding his future, the future of the Italy set-up and the disappointment of the recent failure to qualify for the World Cup.

“It’s a pleasure to return to Coverciano, I grew up here. I came here for the first time when I was 15. It’s definitely a special feeling,” said Mancini (via TMW ). “I’m pleased to receive this award, even if my career will still be quite long yet.”

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach of Italy Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli of Italy pause for the camera before to the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Netherlands and Italy at Johan Cruijff Arena on September 7, 2020 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) The topic of discussion quickly turned to the Italy national team and their loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final at the end of March.

“There are times when things go well and we’re all happy, but this is part of sport. You win some and you lose some,” said Mancini, who failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup while he was in charge of the Nazionale.

“Sometimes incredible things happen. That’s football. We need to roll up our sleeves and continue working.

“If you read what Kimmich said about Germany, Italy has won more than them in the last 10 years. We had done good things. Our national team will have good players in the future to get back on its feet. The same goes for club teams.”

Mancini refused to answer, though, when asked if he is interested in a potential return to the Italy set-up: “I’m here to accept this award, not to talk about anything else. Next question?”

Mancini was then asked which Italy youngsters have impressed him the most this season.

ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina competes for the ball with Marco Palestra of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images) He said: “The one who has impressed me the most is Palestra. Cancellieri also has great qualities, not much is said about him. There are good players.”

And when asked again about his next career steps once his time with Al-Sadd comes to an end, Mancini replied: “I have to finish the season with Al-Sadd. Sometimes the phone rings. Usually it’s my children who call me.”