Mancini’s plea: Italy the love of his life, asks fans to forgive

The press room at the FIGC headquarters was awash in bright lights as Roberto Mancini stepped up to the podium, his voice steady as he declared, “Italy the love of my life, I hope fans can forgive me.” The statement set the tone for a candid press conference that would lay bare his regrets and ambitions.

Mancini admitted that walking away from the Italy job in 2023 was “a huge mistake and misunderstanding” that he now deeply regrets. He described the departure as “like losing the love of your life,” underscoring the personal weight of the decision.

He promised to “make the team play so well they can forgive me,” vowing to restore the Nazionale’s standing through attractive, positive football. The coach’s resolve was framed as a personal redemption mission.

The past three weeks had been chaotic: Paolo Maldini was appointed technical director and Leonardo named special advisor, both tasked with finding a new coach for the national side. Their brief tenure highlighted the urgency of stabilising the hierarchy.

Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola both turned down the vacancy, prompting the federation to turn to Andrea Pirlo. Pirlo’s appointment collapsed because of his role as a global brand ambassador for a Russian betting company that is banned in Italy.

Maldini and Leonardo chose to resign rather than look beyond their shortlist, leaving FIGC President Giovanni Malagò to restart the search. Malagò then hired Mancini as CT and appointed Claudio Ranieri as technical director, introducing both to the media in the evening press conference.

Mancini addressed his earlier exit to take the Saudi Arabia national team job, blaming a “lack of communication between President Gabriele Gravina and myself” for the fallout. He suggested a face‑to‑face conversation could have changed the outcome.

He apologized for the past three years, saying fate and Malagò have given him a second chance. “I will try to bring the Nazionale back to where it belongs,” he asserted, adding that the squad’s talent and youth will enable them to replicate the success of 2021 despite inevitable critics.

Mancini signed a four‑year contract, hoping to win “one or two trophies” and stay beyond that if possible. He recalled that Italy had missed three consecutive World Cups, including the 2022 edition, and noted, “When we started last time, journalists placed us seventh or eighth in Europe.” He added, “If Italy go to the World Cup, we become one of the teams to beat,” and pledged to qualify for the Euros after the Nations League before setting sights on the next World Cup.