Roberto Mancini Resigns as Coach of Italian National Team
Roberto Mancini has made the surprising decision to step down as coach of the Italian national team, as confirmed by the country’s football federation (FIGC). Mancini’s resignation comes in the midst of the Azzurri’s qualifying campaign for Euro 2024.
The FIGC has expressed its intention to swiftly appoint a successor. In a statement, they said, “Considering the important and close games in qualifying for UEFA Euro 2024, the name of the new CT will be announced over the next few days.”
The federation added that they have accepted Mancini’s resignation, which was received late on the previous evening. The Italian national team bid farewell to a significant chapter in its history, which began in May 2018 and concluded with the Nations League Finals in 2023. During this period, Mancini guided the team to victory at Euro 2020, an achievement accomplished by a squad that demonstrated remarkable unity and teamwork.
Italy is set to face North Macedonia and Ukraine in a qualification double-header in September. The team had previously only missed out on qualifying for a World Cup finals once since 1958, making their failure to reach the 2022 World Cup in Qatar under Mancini all the more disappointing.
Mancini, who previously coached Manchester City and Inter Milan, leaves the Italian national team with a record of 39 wins, 13 draws, and nine defeats. Despite failing to secure World Cup qualification, the team’s third-place finish in the recent Nations League finals in June showcased their continued competitiveness under Mancini’s leadership.
The departure of Mancini marks a significant change for the Italian national team ahead of their upcoming Euro 2024 qualification matches. The FIGC will now focus on finding a suitable replacement to lead the Azzurri into the next chapter of their footballing journey.
(Photo: Claudio Villa/Getty Images)