How Italy's World Cup failure could impact Real Madrid and Man Utd

Martin Macdonald

• 25 Mar 2022 13:11 GMT
• 3 min read

The unthinkable happened half a decade ago when Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Now, the nightmare has been repeated for the Azzurri after they were eliminated by minnows North Macedonia at the semi-final play-off round of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

On Wednesday evening, Italy naturally went into the game as massive favourites and pounded North Macedonia's goal with no less than 31 attempts on goal, none of which materalised into an actual goal.

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In the end, Italian hearts were broken in the second minute of injury time when Aleksandar Trajkovski fired a strike into the bottom corner, giving his country the most famous win in its history.

After the dust has settled, the jury will be out on head coach Robert Mancini, who guided Italy to a Euro 2020 triumph just last summer.

Following the game, he said:

“I’m more than disappointed, I’ve nothing to say. Something incredible happened tonight. We deserved to win the Euros, now we’ve been really unlucky…but that’s it, that’s the reality. I’m sorry for the players.”

When asked about his future as Italy boss, he seemed unsure of what lies ahead.

“We will see," he replied.

"Now I feel too disappointed to speak about my future, we will see. I’m sure this team has a great future. I’m supporting these players now more than ever.”

How does Mancini impact Real Madrid and Man Utd?

It is likely that, due to Mancini's success at the Euros, that he won't be sacked by Italy, but that doesn't mean he won't resign.

Should he walk, Italy have identified some candidates to come in as his replacement.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the number one choice would be a tandem between Fabio Cannavaro and World Cup-winning boss Marcelo Lippi.

However, also in the frame is current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian returned to Los Blancos in the summer, and although he has did well in the 2021/22 campaign, his stock has fallen since the embarrassing 4-0 defeat at home to Barcelona in the Clasico.

He also only made the return as top targets were not available, so the general feeling is that he will leave sooner rather than later.

Manchester United are impacted by Italy because they have allegedly been considering a move to appoint Ancelotti as head coach.

Though names like Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino lead the list of favourites, Ancelotti has come recommended from Sir Alex Ferguson, so it isn't outwith the realms of possibility that he ends up at Old Trafford.

That is, unless Italy get there first.