Roberto Mancini returns to Italy role focused on Nations League success

Roberto Mancini has begun his second spell as Italy manager with a clear target: to put the team’s recent disappointments behind them and lead them back to major honours.

Mancini, who guided Italy to Euro 2020 glory during his first tenure, will start his latest campaign against Belgium in Rome on Friday in the Nations League.

The former Italy midfielder departed after the national side failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. He subsequently took charge of Saudi Arabia, while Italy have gone on to miss the last three World Cups and struggled to make an impression on football’s biggest stage.

However, Mancini says his attention is firmly on the future rather than the setbacks that have affected Italy in recent years.

“We must not dwell on negative things,” he told reporters. “When you embark on a new adventure, you’re eager to do something special, and over the next four years we’ll bring home something special.

“For me it’s a challenge and a new chapter in my career. I’m here to win and that’s the objective we all share.”

The manager has also placed a strong emphasis on developing younger players, selecting a 34-man squad that includes several players receiving their first call-ups ahead of four matches.

Bologna goalkeeper Massimo Pessina, 18, and Brentford right-back Michael Kayode, 22, are among those included for the first time. Aston Villa left-back Matteo Ruggeri joined the squad on Monday after Federico Dimarco was ruled out with an injury.

Mancini believes the new arrivals can provide energy while allowing him to evaluate a broader group of players as he prepares Italy for the next cycle.

“I expect them to bring a carefree attitude,” he said.

“I think it’s right to have some young players we can get to know in order to build a strong team for the future.

“We need to understand who can stay with us for this cycle and, with that goal in mind, I’ve called up a larger group for the four matches we have coming up in such quick succession.”

Italy will host Belgium in Rome before travelling to Bursa to play Turkey three days later.

Their schedule then takes them to the Stade de France, where they will face France on October 2. They will complete the four-match sequence by hosting Turkey in Bologna on October 5.

Mancini’s return therefore begins with a demanding run of fixtures, as he assesses his options and attempts to establish the squad he hopes can deliver success over the next four years.