Mancini Italy coach, the coach has been released from his contract with Al Sadd

The news had been in the air for some time and last night it was made official: Roberto Mancini left Al Sadd with whom, thanks to a great comeback, he managed to win the title in Qatar. “I didn’t find what I was looking for,” he said a few days ago at the Serie A Festival in Parma, giving a clear indication of his intentions. The coach from Jesi had recently returned to his players for the Emir’s Cup, where – without many internationals – he was defeated in the final (4-1) by Al Gharafa. Once the last appointment was archived, seven months after his arrival, Mancio chose to take a step back. And it is inevitable to think that behind this decision there is (also) the hope of being able to occupy the blue bench again.

Ready

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Mancini has recently avoided speaking too directly about the national team and a possible return, but his idea is known: he wants a second opportunity as coach. He said it without mincing words in an interview with the Gazzetta on 12 June 2025, practically a year ago: “For a coach there is nothing more beautiful than leading the national team: I have won with the clubs, but if you win with Italy it’s another thing. Coming back? You would always go back to where you were happy and I was like heaven in Coverciano, with everyone. There was a really nice atmosphere.” The climate that on that magical night at Wembley on 11 July 2021 allowed the Azzurri to beat hosts England in the final and become European champions again after 53 years. Emotions galore, also given the magnificent presence of Gianluca Vialli. Emotions especially for the younger ones, those who don’t remember what it means to support their team in a World Cup.

Apologies

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Of course, there is that surprise farewell, with a certified email in the very hot summer of 2023, which made everyone a little angry, from the federal president Gravina to the fans. And football in this country is serious, it can be forgiven, but it cannot be forgotten. He apologized and admitted that he had «made some bad decisions. You make mistakes thinking you’re always right.” To demonstrate how much he cares about returning to that bench and to convince everyone that he is the coach willing to make “an act of love for football” (as Giovanni Malagò, the favorite candidate for the federal presidency, asks), he is ready to sign a contract in line with the FIGC parameters, around two million euros, even if in the (current) parts of Via Allegri there are those who believe that to truly forget that rudeness, when he chose to coach Saudi Arabia at 30 million a year, he should be the coach for free at least for a year. In fact, the will to meet the needs of the president to come (especially if he is an old acquaintance like Malagò) is there and yesterday’s resignation is only the latest gesture to demonstrate it.

Hypothesis

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Malagò legitimately remains very tight-lipped on the issue. The elections are on June 22nd, in a week and a day, and before then it would not be right to venture half a word on the topic of the coach: «The games are played after the vote». Stop. It is inevitable, however, that some surveys on possible availability have been and are being done. Antonio Conte today is priced a little less than a few weeks ago: he has different demands from Mancini and even if upon leaving Napoli he said he could “stay still”, it is likely he is looking around waiting for a top club. Then there is the Pep Guardiola idea, which is something more than a suggestion, but which is difficult to implement (economically) unless a caravan of sponsors can be involved in the operation, which given the name involved might not be impossible. And then Mancini: he has made his move, we just have to wait until June 23rd.