Mancini issues public apology as he returns to Italy helm after ‘huge mistake’ of Saudi move

Roberto Mancini has made a contrite public apology to Italy fans as he returns for a second spell in charge of the national team, three years after quitting the Azzurri for a lucrative role with Saudi Arabia.

Speaking in his first press conference since being reappointed as Italy coach, the 61-year-old admitted he had committed a “huge mistake” when he unexpectedly resigned in August 2023, just weeks after leading the country to the Euro 2021 title, to take over the Saudi Arabia national side.

In an emotional address on Wednesday, Mancini said: “I am very sorry. What happened was like losing my life partner. I made a huge mistake. I am sorry for everything that has happened over the past three years, and I will do my best to restore the national team to its natural place.”

Mancini’s return has come at a moment of deep crisis for Italian football. Italy have failed to reach the World Cup for a third consecutive time, missing out again after a play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in April. That failure cost both Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso their positions.

Admission over Saudi switch

Mancini’s decision to leave for Saudi Arabia, announced just two weeks after his resignation from Italy in 2023, provoked a furious reaction at the time, with many supporters and commentators branding the move an act of betrayal.

Reflecting on his departure and the breakdown in relations with Gravina, Mancini said: “That was completely my fault, there was a lack of communication with Gravina, but I take full responsibility.”

The coach, who guided Italy to European Championship glory at Wembley in 2021, insisted his focus is now on repairing his relationship with the public and rebuilding a damaged team.

Italy’s first match of Mancini’s second tenure will be against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on 25 September at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. He acknowledged he is likely to face a mixed reception.

“I know some people will oppose me,” he said. “I hope the team performs well enough for people to forgive me.”

Fourth-choice comeback

Reports in the Italian media have suggested Mancini was not the federation’s first option to replace Gattuso. According to those reports, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola both turned down approaches to take the job, while Andrea Pirlo was ruled out amid concerns over a sponsorship deal involving a Russian betting company.

Only after those avenues were closed did the FIGC turn back to Mancini, who had already enjoyed a highly successful first spell in the role, capped by the Euro 2021 triumph but also marred by Italy’s subsequent failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

Mancini did not comment directly on the search process, but his remarks underlined an awareness that he must rebuild trust as well as a team.

Backing a new generation

On the pitch, Mancini plans to base his new project around a younger core of players, naming Biyo Esposito, Moise Kean and Nicolo Zaniolo as key attacking options.

In midfield, he highlighted Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Barella, while at the back he singled out Riccardo Calafiori and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma as central to his plans. However, he admitted that problems persist in central defence, with ongoing issues affecting Alessandro Bastoni and Francesco Acerbi.

“I don’t think we are in such a bad situation,” Mancini said. “We have many options among the forwards and wingers, and they are young players who can develop. I gave Kean his debut and I know him well, and I was the first to call up Zaniolo before he had even played in Serie A.”

Mancini now faces the dual task of halting Italy’s slide on the international stage and convincing a sceptical public that he is the right man to lead the Azzurri again, having openly conceded that walking away in 2023 was, in his own words, a “huge mistake”.