Italy’s elimination in the semi-finals of the Cup play-offs puts the question of Roberto Mancini’s future on the table. Under contract until 2026, the coach has received the support of his federation and should decide himself whether to keep it or not. In case of departure, some names have already been put forward by the transalpine press.
There was an air of déjà vu on the lawn of Renzo Barbera. In 2022, the Palermo stadium looked furiously like the San Siro on this disastrous evening in November 2017. At the final whistle, whether against North Macedonia yesterday or against Sweden a little over 4 years ago, everywhere Azzurri jerseys wandering without knowing where to go, completely haggard, lost. For the second time in a row, Italy will not play the Cup. Roberto Mancini embodies this failure. He had taken charge of the selection in 2018, facing a mountain of worries. Having become European champion, he nevertheless fell as low as at his beginnings.
He had taught his players to get up. The latter unfortunately teach him to fall. That they already seem far away these images of joy of the coach with the Henri Delaunay trophy in his hands going around Wembley. This playful and lively team during the last Euro has lost its luster. Mancini’s 4-3-3 has taken a huge toll in just a few months. Since then, Italy have become predictable, their attack silent. Since the final won against England, she has scored only ten goals in 8 games, including 5 against Lithuania alone. It’s too little and the problem resurfaced yesterday with 32 shots for 5 on target…
An attacking team
“On a professional level, it is the biggest disappointment of my career.testified Mancini after the meeting. The victory at the Euros was deserved, playing very well, then the luck that accompanied us turned into total misfortune. What about a match where we shot 40 times? We conceded the goal at the end and we don’t even know why. We won a European championship and we were undefeated for two and a half years so I know one thing: our players are very good. So it’s not their fault or that of the president, I’m primarily responsible. When you lose, the first person responsible is the coach..
Football doesn’t always have a memory, but the time between continental victory and this new failure is so short that Roberto Mancini’s fate will not be sealed that way. This is the only reason because inevitably the future of the coach hangs in the balance, as he himself recalled. “My disappointment is too great to talk about the future.” Under contract until 2026, the coach has already received the support of its president Gabriele Gravina. “I hope he will continue with us. He has a commitment at the project level and I hope he will remain at the helm of the national team to continue our work.”
Mancini will decide his fate himself but…
The question nevertheless arises, even if the subject is delicate. Through a survey, sportmediaset for example asked his readers whether Mancini should resign or not. At midday, 51% answered yes and 49% no. More than ever, opinion is divided. Should we continue to trust the coach until 2026 so that he himself initiates the transformation of a team that he has made grow, that he has shaped and led to victory to bring it down immediately from its pedestal? The choice is risky and above all there are already names that have been mentioned to take over but the press warns, it is Mancini who will first decide his own fate.
In case of departure, Sky Sport Italia and The Gazzetta dello Sport speak today of a tandem Fabio Cannavaro-Marcelo Lippi. The former was the victorious captain of the 2006 Cup under the latter, who is now 73 years old. The former centre-back is still a young manager. He has only managed clubs in China and Saudi Arabia and would need Lippi’s experience. Finally, Carlo Ancelotti, whose future is uncertain at Real Madrid, is a serious candidate. He for once does not lack experience and has a huge track record. At 62, the time may have come for Arrigo Sacchi’s former assistant (1992-1995) to take charge of the national team.
