Roberto Mancini has said he will discuss plans for the future with the Italian Football Federation, and has hinted he will be happy to continue as manager of the national team despite Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup.
The winners of last summer’s European Championships were shocked by North Macedonia in their World Cup play-off fixture in Palermo after an injury time winner scored by Aleksandar Trajkovski.
Roberto Mancini Hints at Willingness to Continue as Italy Manager
Play-off Defeat Described by Mancini as His ‘Biggest Disappointment’ in Football
Their defeat by North Macedonia means Italy have now failed to qualify for each of the last two World Cups, having also missed out on the 2018 showpiece in Russia.
Following the 1-0 loss, Mancini said it was too early to talk about whether he was the right man to take Italy forward, despite the former Manchester City boss having guided his country to Euro 2020 success only eight months ago.
Mancini said: “This summer I had my greatest joy and today is the biggest disappointment. It’s hard to speak. I’m really sorry for the players. It’s a team that has played very well and who won the Euros last summer by deserving it. I’m really sorry that they can’t go to the World Cup for the second time.”
Addressing his own future, the 57-year-old added: “Now it is too early to talk about the future. We still have to digest this defeat.”
Mancini is on the Same Page With Italy’s Football Federation
Having reflected upon their setback in Palermo over recent days, Mancini has suggested that the sense of agreement he enjoys with the Italian Football Federation could tempt him to stay on as Italy manager in spite of the disappointment he and his players are currently enduring.
He said: “We’re on the same point with the Federation – I’m happy about that. We’re going to discuss again in the coming days. We’ll speak about plans for the future and things to be improved as soon as possible.
Mancini was named Italy manager in May 2018, and is under contract until July 2026.
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