The happiest person to hear that Roberto Mancini is back on the Italy bench is his mother, Marianna. ‘Last year was terrible’ in Qatar with Al-Sadd.
It was announced this afternoon by FIGC President Giovanni Malagò that Mancini would be the Italy coach, with Claudio Ranieri as technical director of Club Italia.
This represents a return for the EURO 2020 winner, who was already in the role from 2018 to 2023, when he left to become the coach of the Saudi Arabia national team.
That was followed by another job in the Middle East, specifically at Qatar Stars League side Al-Sadd.
Mancini back on the Italy bench
“I am very happy,” Marianna Puolo told news agency ANSA upon hearing that her son was the new coach.
“It is also better because he can stay closer to us. Last year was terrible, with the war around those parts.”
Although he did win silverware the last time he took charge of the Nazionale, many were upset with the way that Mancini left so abruptly for Saudi Arabia.
“He is a serious person,” assured his mother.
“When he says what he can and will do, he really means it. Having said that, you need to be able to count on the right people too for a winning project.”
The FIGC intends to continue with the broad plans to revitalise and transform the youth academies, something Mancini’s mother agrees with.
“We must get back to discovering and cultivating Italian talent. Once upon a time, there were people who could identify these lads with more quality, and that work needs to be relaunched today.”
Mancini of course was one of those young talents, making his Serie A debut as a teenager.
“Even when he was a kid, he gave everything, he had football in his blood. His father Aldo always accompanied him everywhere, that was an extraordinary support.
“Now I hope he can achieve another great triumph, I’d love that so much. All I will tell him is good luck,” concluded Mancini’s mother.
