- 23 hours ago
Official: Roberto Mancini extends Italy deal until 2026
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 20 May 2021 09:14 BST
- 4 min read
Roberto Mancini has signed a deal that will see him coach Italy until 2026, the Italian FA (FIGC) has confirmed.
Former Manchester City boss Mancini, who has been in charge of the Azzurri since 2018, will now lead his country until after the 2026 World Cup, which is slated to take place in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
He has won 19 of the 28 matches he has taken charge of and has lost just a couple. Indeed, Italy are undefeated since September 2018, when they suffered a 1-0 loss to Portugal. Their only other defeat under Mancini came in a friendly match away to France prior to the Russia World Cup.
Mancini hoping to ‘reap rewards’ of his work
Mancini firma il prolungamento del contratto: “Vogliamo portare avanti un lavoro che ha dato i suoi frutti”https://t.co/oqaVGiV7hC#FIGC pic.twitter.com/Hq1TvAcdNa
— FIGC (@FIGC) May 17, 2021
“I am really happy and I thank the president, it’s a great moment,” Mancini told the media.
“We have extended our deal. We will play in many competitions, it won’t be easy to win. We are trying to bring forward the project we have began three years ago.
“There are many young players and we hope we will soon reap the rewards of our work. We’ll need some luck in some moments, we will want to have our say at the Euros.”
‘Brilliant’ Mancini hailed
Meanwhile Gabriele Gravina has hailed the influence of Mancini with the national team.
“We wanted to give continuity to our work. Beyond winning a trophy, there’s a project to work on,” he said.
“Mancini has been working brilliantly for two years and moving forward on this project was a duty out of respect for the Federation and our fans.
5 of the top goalkeepers from the last 5 EUROs!
Who would be your number 1?
2000: Francesco Toldo
2004:Petr Čech
2008:Iker Casillas
2012:Gianluigi Buffon
2016:Rui Patrício#EUROPZ | @FedExEurope pic.twitter.com/HiopmMPkRK
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) May 14, 2021
“We made an important choice, supported by us in the Federation and not by different sponsors or other parties.
“We want to caress the enthusiasm of the Italian fans, now we are aiming to win a trophy that has been missing for years and we must put ourselves forward.
“Without overthinking if it doesn’t happen, because only one team wins in the end.”
Italy face Turkey, Switzerland and Wales in the group stages of Euro 2020 this summer.
