Roberto Mancini will not step down as the Italy national team boss following his side’s humiliating exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup contention. Winning the competition remains Italy’s target, says the tactician.
For the second edition in a row, and for the first time since the competition’s inception, the Azurri will miss out on back-to-back FIFA World Cup appearances. The European champions were eliminated from the qualification process by minnows North Macedonia, four years on from their exit at the same stage at the hands of Sweden.
Also read 👉 Italy to miss second consecutive World Cup; Portugal, Wales, Sweden through to playoff final
Doubts were thrown over the future of Euro-winning head coach Mancini in the wake of the side’s World Cup exit, but the tactician has confirmed that he will continue in his position, at least, for the time being. Speaking a week after Italy’s elimination, he reiterated the need to start from scratch and build towards the inevitable goal, which is to win the next World Cup.
“We need to start again. I talked to the president, we’re in agreements on everything. We’ll have time to discuss what we need to improve.
“I’m still young and I wanted to win a European Championship and a World Cup, we’ll have to wait for the second a little bit. I like this work and I know that with the players we can organize something important.
the 57-year-old said.
Mancini’s contract with the national team runs out in July 2026, which means barring any major fallout with his football association, the Italian will be in charge by the time the next Euros and the next World Cup rolls around.
Italy will defend their European crown in Germany two years from now, while they will be presented with a chance to make the World Cup two years further when the competition returns across the Atlantic to the USA, Mexico, and Canada in 2026.
Barring the humiliating loss against North Macedonia, Mancini’s record as the Italy head coach remains almost spotless. He has lost just four games to date and achieved a record-breaking 36-game unbeaten streak in late 2021 – in addition to the 2020 Euro glory.
