Squadra Azzurra coach Roberto Mancini still has a contract with the Italian FA until 2026. Photo: Antonio Calanni/AP/dpa. (Source: dpa)
Rome (AP) – After the end of the World Cup qualifier, Italy’s national soccer coach Roberto Mancini has not yet made a decision about his future.
“Let’s take the time to think and get clarity,” wrote the coach on Instagram. “The only right step now is to put your head up and work on the future.” On Thursday, the Azzurri lost 1-0 at home to North Macedonia in the play-offs for the final places at the World Cup in Qatar.
“It’s really hard to accept that, but also accepting defeats in life is part of the healthy way to grow as a person and as a sport,” continued the European champion coach.
The Italian national players, association officials and experts are in favor of continuing with the 57-year-old, who still has a contract until 2026 anyway. According to the “Gazzetta dello Sport”, a meeting between Mancini and the head of the association, Gabriele Gravina, was scheduled for Saturday. It is expected that the coach will only announce a decision after Tuesday’s sportingly insignificant international match against Turkey away in Konya.
Should the coach resign, ex-national player Fabio Cannavaro is reportedly the favorite to succeed him. The only 48-year-old could be joined by veteran Marcello Lippi as technical director of the national team – the two became world champions in Germany in 2006 as captain and coach.