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.
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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.
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'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.
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'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.
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'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.'
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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.
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