Roberto Mancini Wants to Mark a New Beginning for the Italian National Team

The new era of Mancini

The Italy coach, Roberto Mancini, assured this Monday in his first press conference after his return to the 'Azzurra' that his goal is to win back those who feel betrayed and restore it to the place it deserves, with a team that wins "by playing well and dominating."

"I feel indebted, I want to win back those who feel betrayed: I want to win," said Mancini in Coverciano, where the Italian national team is currently concentrating before the Nations League match against Belgium on Friday.

The coach acknowledged that he understands the fans' anger after the team's recent disappointments, having missed the World Cup three times in a row, and considered that the best way to regain their trust would be with good results.

"If a fan feels betrayed, they can get angry, it's understandable. To win them back, we have to do things right and restore the team to the place it deserves," he said.

Mancini appeared optimistic about his return and assured that he faces the next four years with the intention of competing: "I am sure that we will achieve something in the next four years. I never start to lose."

"I am going to have a team that dominates, plays well, and always gives their best. You can't always win, but we will go out to do it," he explained.

The new stage will also begin with official matches, without having played any friendlies, so the coach considers it necessary to accelerate the team-building process to "quickly understand" which players he has available.

Mancini also acknowledged the excitement of returning to the 'Azzurra' three years later. "When I returned, I was very happy. We have spent very beautiful moments together," recalled the coach.

The Italian coach took charge of the national team for the first time in May 2018, following Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup in Russia, and led a reconstruction process that culminated in winning the Euro 2020, held in 2021, and a streak of 35 unbeaten matches.

His stage ended, however, with the absence from the Qatar World Cup and his departure from the position in August 2023. EFE