Mancini says ‘I made a huge mistake’ as he returns to Italy job after Saudi exit

Roberto Mancini has issued a public apology to Italy fans as he resumes control of the national team, three years after walking away from the Azzurri for a lucrative spell in charge of Saudi Arabia.

Speaking in his first press conference since being reappointed on Wednesday, the 61-year-old admitted he had committed “a huge mistake” when he resigned in August 2023, only weeks before taking the Saudi Arabia post.

“I am very, very sorry,” Mancini said in a sombre tone. “What happened was like losing my life partner. I made a huge mistake. I am sorry for everything that has happened in these last three years, and I will do everything I can to bring the national team back to where it belongs.”

Italy’s World Cup crisis paves way for return

Mancini’s comeback has been triggered by an unprecedented crisis for Italian football, with the national side failing to reach the World Cup for a third consecutive time.

Italy missed out on the 2026 tournament after losing in the play-offs to Bosnia and Herzegovina in April, a result that led to the departures of Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina and head coach Gennaro Gattuso.

Mancini previously guided Italy to the Euro 2021 title, overseeing a 34-match unbeaten run and a victory over England on penalties in the final at Wembley. His decision to quit two years later stunned the country, not least because he accepted the Saudi national team job just a fortnight after resigning.

At the time, many Italian supporters and pundits labelled his move a betrayal of the Azzurri cause.

Reflecting on that period, Mancini said: “It was entirely my fault, there was a lack of communication with Gravina, but I take full responsibility.”

‘Fourth choice’ for a rebuilding project

Italian media have reported that Mancini was far from the federation’s first option as it searched for a replacement for Gattuso.

According to those reports, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola turned down approaches to lead the national team, while Andrea Pirlo was ruled out amid concerns over a sponsorship deal involving a Russian betting company. That sequence of events cleared the way for Mancini’s unexpected return.

His second spell will begin with a high-profile fixture: Italy face Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on 25 September at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Mancini is braced for a mixed reaction from the stands. “I know some people will be against me,” he acknowledged. “I hope the team can play well enough that people will forgive me.”

Focus on youth amid defensive concerns

Mancini plans to rebuild around a new generation of players as he attempts to restore Italy’s reputation after consecutive World Cup qualifying failures.

In attack, he is placing his faith in Beppe Esposito, Moise Kean and Nicolo Zaniolo, while Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Barella are expected to form the core of the midfield. At the back, he is counting on Riccardo Calafiori and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, although problems remain at centre-half due to ongoing issues affecting Alessandro Bastoni and Francesco Acerbi.

“I don’t think we are in such a terrible situation,” Mancini insisted. “We have many options among the forwards and wingers, and they are young players who can still improve.

“I was the one who gave Kean his debut and I know him well, and I was also the first to call up Zaniolo before he had even played in Serie A.”

Mancini now faces the challenge of convincing a sceptical public that his second stint can revive Italy’s fortunes – and that his regret over leaving the Azzurri the first time is matched by his determination to repair the damage.