25 September,2026 09:11 AM IST | Coverciano | Agencies
Roberto Mancini. Pic/AFP
Roberto Mancini embarks on his bid to turn around Italy's fortunes for a second time as coach this week, but he also needs to win over sceptical fans left apathetic towards the Azzurri after an unprecedented series of setbacks.
The four-time world champions have hit one embarrassing low after another, having failed to qualify for the past three World Cups, leaving fans dispirited. Mancini has admitted that they need to "win back" supporters, starting with Friday's Nations League match against Belgium in Rome.
"We will achieve this [winning back fans] by taking the national team back to where it deserves to be, by playing with enthusiasm, and by giving our all," Mancini said.
The 61-year old, under whom Italy won the 2020 European Championship, stressed the need to play with a greater degree of freedom.
"The past doesn't count anymore. We don't know how long it will take [to get back to the top of international football], but we'll have to be quick in understanding the players we have and figuring out what they can give us in the future," said Mancini.
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