Italy national football team manager Roberto Mancini has discussed various aspects of Italian football.
Situated at a conference in Rome, Mancini formed part of a round table alongside (national basketball coach), Ferdinando De Giorgi (national volleyball coach) and Alessandro Campagna (national water polo coach) in the Salone d’Orone del CONI (The Italian National Olympic Committee’s Hall of Honour).
Following failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, Mancini was questioned on what will be the aim for his continued managerialship:
“The mantra will be to rejuvenate the team, also thinking about 2024 and future prospects.
“We must try to redeem ourselves.
“It will be an important year with the Nations League finals and the qualifying matches for the next European championship, we must make as few mistakes as possible.”
Nicolò Zaniolo has been the subject of a transfer saga this January. Seeking a transfer away from Roma, the 23-year-old has endured a tough season. Mancini’s advised:
“I think he’s a guy with great qualities, like everyone else he has to make himself available to the team and take advantage of his talent.”
Asked about the current Serie A condition and Italian players with regards to his position as national head coach, Mancini replied:
“That there are some guys who don’t play, the usual things. Then the championship is saying that Napoli is the best team.”
Asked about what unites him along with other coaches in Italy’s committee, Mancini stated:
“Values, responsibility. We represent a great nation in sport.”
Discussing what he finds most important as leader of the Azzurri:
“The staff is fundamental. You can’t do everything alone, I delegate enough. I’m democratic.
“The staff is made up of people who, in addition to working, have the opportunity to talk to the players and receive feedback that they don’t share with the coach. And this can be useful.
“Our atmosphere, for example, has always been extraordinary at the European Championship where we weren’t the best team, but we had an incredible level also thanks to a very good staff.”
Queried on whether Juventus’ 15-point deduction and overall situation will affect Italy’s players, Mancini said:
“I don’t know about that. The players then go onto the pitch, think about training and playing, I don’t think so.”
On the importance of the Nations League:
“It will be in June. We have two important games first, but then winning the Nations League with younger players could be a good thing.”
Mancini offered insight on how Italy needs to develop its footballing strategy:
“In Italy we have to change our mentality and think that 18-19 year olds can play at the highest level.
“We need to trust them. We need to give them the opportunity to mistakes and being called up by the national teams.”
