Mancini Italy have begun a new chapter with Roberto Mancini demanding rapid progress as the coach prepares for his return to the national team dugout and a heavily reshaped squad.
Mancini has already made nine first-time call-ups for games against Belgium, Turkey and France in the UEFA Nations League, but some familiar faces have been omitted. The coach argued that the overhaul was necessary for Italy to have to find youngsters who are able to form the nucleus of the team in the coming years.
“Mancini says to reporters: “If I had gone to all the experienced players, you would have said, ‘always the same players’.” He also said that having a larger squad he’ll be able to watch more players play in four games.
The coach admitted that it would take time to rebuild the national side, but said it must be done quickly. Mancini said his first concern is to “get to know what each player can bring in” and to build a “base for the future.
Italy are also trying to overcome a challenging period, which saw them miss the World Cup once again. Mancini said that there was a reason for frustrations from supporters, but urged people to “unite in the name of the national side to bring confidence back”.
That’s the past,” he said, “the past doesn’t count anymore. Things have to be done right and the national team must be where it should be.”
Mancini resumes the position after a difficult time in the Italian Football Federation. He replaced Gennaro Gattuso, who was eliminated from the job after a failed bid to replace him with Andrea Pirlo, who was dropped in the middle of a controversy.
Yet there is a strong message and it’s football inside the camp, said Mancini, despite the uncertainty. Italy will begin their Nations League campaign in Rome on Friday against Belgium, emphasising the need to win their first match.
Some changes have already been made in the squad, Inter Milan defender Federico Dimarco curtseying due to injury. He has been replaced by Aston Villa’s Matteo Ruggeri and the former had already joined the club when Samuele Ricci was brought on.
