Author: Chandra Moulee Das
Roberto Mancini has stepped down as coach of the Italian national team, ending a five-year tenure at the helm. He took over after Italy’s failure to secure a place at the 2018 World Cup and, remarkably, led the country to victory at Euro 2020. The culmination of his tenure as coach came in a thrilling penalty shoot-out victory over England in the final at Wembley.
During his time, the team achieved an unparalleled 37-game unbeaten run on the world stage. However, this impressive run was marred by their subsequent failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The name of Mancini’s successor, who will inherit the post left by the former Manchester City coach, should be revealed “in the next few days”.
Currently third in their qualifying group for Euro 2024, Italy suffered a defeat to Gareth Southgate’s England in March. Looking ahead, their next matches are scheduled against North Macedonia on September 9 and Ukraine on September 12.
Former Italian and Sampdoria midfielder Mancini had already led Manchester City to their first Premier League championship in 2012. Along with their achievement at Euro 2020, where Italy won the title in July 2021, the national team also secured a commendable third place in the Nations League in June.
After Italy’s dismal failure to qualify for the Qatar World Cup in March 2022, a setback marked by a play-off defeat to North Macedonia, Mancini found himself under increasing scrutiny and pressure.
“The Italian Football Federation announces that it has learned of Roberto Mancini’s resignation as coach of the Italian national team, received late yesterday afternoon“, said the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). “Thus ends a significant page in the history of the Azzurri, which began in May 2018 and ended with the finals of the 2023 Nations League; in the middle, victory at Euro 2020, a triumph won by a group in which every individual knew how to become a team“, added the FIGC.