Mancini: “I will return Italy to the place it deserves, I’m sorry for what happened three years ago”

After the crisis caused by the Pirlo case with the resignations of Paolo Maldiniwho appeared as technical director, and his advisor, Leonardand the negatives of Guardiola and Ancelotti to take the national bench, today the new coach was introduced, Roberto Manciniwho will face a second stage training the ‘Azurra’ team after doing so between 2018 and 2023. Furthermore, he does not arrive alone, Claudio Ranieriwill be the substitute for maldini as technical director. Along with them, at the presentation event was also the President of the Italian Football Federation, Giovanni Malago.

Malago He wanted to be the first to speak, declaring that the leading role today should fall on Mancini and Ranieri but assuming responsibility for their decision in what has to be the reconstruction of Italian football: “I’m happy, we all feel that weight, it’s been 20 years since we played in a World Cup qualifier.” In addition, he also made reference to the Pirlo case: “I am surprised by the variety of people from all social and institutional levels who have wanted to give their opinion, we are happy to be under that magnifying glass”, making clear reference to the political significance that the issue has generated.

For its part, Roberto Mancini He wanted to get ahead of journalists with what happened regarding his departure in 2023: “I’m ahead of many to clarify what happened three years ago. There was a communication problem between President Gravina and me; if we had talked sooner and better, we probably would have resolved it. I was very sorry, for me, the national team jersey has always been very important. It was like losing the love of my life. He also wanted to thank President Malagò for the opportunity and assured that he would return Italy to the place it deserves.

In reference to how long he hopes to stay in this second stage at the head of the national team: “I want to win a major trophy or even twothen I would like to stay even longer than the duration of my contract, if possible. “I am convinced that we have the necessary players, especially the young ones.”

“When I was coach for the first time, many journalists said that we were the seventh or eighth team in Europe. Then we were undefeated for three years and we won the European Championship. If Italy qualified for the World Cup, as would be normal, it would always be a contender for the title,” he said regarding whether he saw the current team as a candidate to win a World Cup.

On the other hand, the new technical director was also officially presented, Claudio Ranieri: “I was on the beach when the president called me and I had no hesitation in accepting. My goal is to make all fans fall in love with the blue jersey“and make the dream of all those children and young people come true, like my 12-year-old nephew, who have never seen Italy in a World Cup.”

“When I choose with my heart, I always make mistakes, but I never regret it.. With the contract he had with Roma, he absolutely could not have been the National team coach, there would have been many problems. “My wife is happy this time, at least I have saved her a move” he responded. Ranieri about whether he regretted not having made the national team a year ago.

At the same press conference, the president Malagowho had demanded that the spotlight be given to the two new additions, wanted to intervene briefly to tell an anecdote with the Italian goalkeeper Donnarumma: “Last night, despite being on my honeymoon, Gigio Donnarumma wrote to me to thank me, telling me that what I had decided was what the team wanted” he commented on the Manchester City goalkeeper.

The premiere of the new ‘Azurra’ will be at the end of September in the group stage of the Nations Leaguewhich they will have to face against a complicated group, in which France either Belgium. Even so, the new coach wanted to be optimistic, stating that the difficulty will also fall on his rivals.