Coach Roberto Mancini made no secret this Monday that he wants to continue in charge of the Italian national team, despite the fiasco of failing to qualify for the World Cup with the defeat to North Macedonia in the European qualifiers playoff.
“We spoke with the president (of the Italian Federation) these days, I believe we agree on everything. We will talk again in the next few days. We first have to think about the game (friendly against Turkey tomorrow) and then reflect on everything to see what needs to be improved”, said Mancini at a press conference.
After last week's disappointment, both the president of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravina, and the national team captain, Giorgio Chiellini, defended Mancini's stay in office.
In today's interview, the coach thanked those who want him to continue in charge of Italy for their support. "It makes me feel good to see this four-year work being praised.
Not only for the European Championship title, but also for a whole series of games without losing, which doesn't happen by chance”, highlighted Mancini. “We need to continue, start thinking differently”, added the coach, reinforcing the need for reconstruction in the Italian team.
“I'm young, my goal is to win the Eurocup and the World Cup. For the World Cup, this was postponed a little, but I continue to enjoy my work”, concluded Mancini, whose contract runs until 2026.
Alongside Mancini, the national team captain, the defender Leonardo Bonucci, said that the coach's stay is “the most logical thing” for Italy. “What the coach has given us in these more than three years is something unique.
An environment was created among the players, staff and managers like I have rarely seen in the national team. This allowed us to achieve great goals”, said the defender. Bonucci, 34, took the opportunity to confirm that he wants to continue his career with the national team to be a “guide” for the younger players.
With the likely departure of Chiellini, 37 years old, he is expected to inherit the team captain's armband.
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