Former Italy manager Fabio Capello has stated that Roberto Mancini should not be considered for a return to the national team setup, citing his departure for a role in Saudi Arabia as a serious misstep. Capello believes Antonio Conte is the appropriate choice to lead the Azzurri, speaking to journalists in Milan on Friday morning.
Capello described the recent search for a new Italy manager as “a great mess,” referencing the pursuit of Pep Guardiola, the initial interest in Andrea Pirlo, and the subsequent resignations of Paolo Maldini and Leonardo from their roles with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). He suggested that a deliberate effort was made to find reasons not to appoint Pirlo, implying internal resistance to the former Juventus midfielder’s candidacy.
Mancini left his position as Italy manager in July, a move Capello views negatively. According to Capello, Mancini abandoned the national team without sufficient justification to take a coaching position in Saudi Arabia. This decision, he argues, disqualifies Mancini from future consideration for the Italy job.
Mancini led Italy to victory at Euro 2020, ending a long trophy drought for the national team. However, Italy subsequently failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, a significant setback that preceded the managerial change. His move to Saudi Arabia came as a surprise to many, given his recent success with the national side, although financial incentives are widely reported to have been a key factor.
Capello also commented on the departures of Maldini and Leonardo, suggesting they felt “used” during the recent upheaval within the FIGC. The pair resigned following disagreements over the direction of the national team’s coaching search. Capello’s endorsement of Conte signals a preference for a manager with a proven track record and a more pragmatic approach. Conte previously managed Italy from 2014 to 2016, leading them to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. His appointment would likely represent a return to a more defensively solid and tactically astute style of play for the national team.
