Mancini admits he wanted to return as Italy head coach after Spalletti | OneFootball

Former Italy national team head coach Roberto Mancini has admitted that he wanted to return to his role as CT after the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti earlier this summer, before the FIGC took the decision to appoint Gennaro Gattuso.

Mancini spent five years in charge of the Azzurri, famously winning the EURO 2020 title in the final against England at Wembley in the summer of 2021.

He took the decision to step down from his role in the summer of 2023, and was subsequently appointed as the head coach of the Saudi Arabia national team a fortnight later, reportedly earning around €25m-€30m per season in that role.

His term in charge of Saudi Arabia came to an end just over a year after his appointment, in October 2024, and he has remained out of work since then.

Mancini on desire to return to Italy job: ‘Knew it would be impossible’

Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Italy interacts with Alberigo Evani, Assistant Coach of Italy during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between Italy and Austria at Wembley Stadium at Wembley Stadium on June 26, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Tallis – Pool/Getty Images)

Speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Trento on Saturday, Mancini admitted that he wanted to return to the role of Italy national team head coach after Spalletti’s departure in June, before the eventual decision to appoint Gattuso.

“Honestly, yes, but I knew it would be almost impossible,” Mancini said when asked if he wanted to take back his job as CT.

And when asked if he still has desires to return to managing Italy, Mancini said: “Well, in short, I hoped to win a World Cup, so as long as I’m still around, I will still be waiting.”

Former Italy and Saudi Arabia head coach Roberto Mancini

What sort of a project is Mancini waiting for?

“Something that gives me a chance to win, and something that motivates me,” he replied.

And when asked how much he misses sitting in the dugout, he replied: “A lot. I miss being on the pitch with the boys every day. Being on the pitch with the players is what I miss.”

Mancini also gave his verdict on current head coach Gattuso: “I’m happy for him, he’s in the best place there is for a coach. Sometimes you get a surprise result, like in Belgium-Macedonia yesterday.”