If you thought Italia football had hit rock bottom, think again — because Roberto Mancini is back, and he has a serious mountain to climb.
The Italian Football Federation has handed Mancini the keys to the Azzurri dressing room for a second time, and his mission is as clear as Lagos traffic on a Sunday morning — fix a national team that has embarrassingly failed to qualify for not one, not two, but three consecutive FIFA World Cups.
Three! As in, one-two-three. For a football nation that once ruled the world with four World Cup trophies, this is nothing short of a national disgrace.
How Did Italy Get Here?
For those who follow international football closely — and we know many Nigerians do, especially when the Super Eagles are not giving us heart attacks — Italy’s recent form has been painful to watch. The country that gave the world legends like Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio, and Francesco Totti has somehow lost its way completely.
Missing one World Cup can be explained. Missing three? That requires serious surgery, not just paracetamol.
Why Mancini? Why Now?
The federation’s decision to bring Mancini back makes sense when you consider his track record. The man knows how to rebuild. Remember how he transformed Manchester City from nearly-men into Premier League champions? That same energy is what Italy desperately needs right now.
His first spell with the Azzurri actually produced results — he guided them to win the UEFA Euro 2020 championship, which was played in 2021 (yes, COVID shifted everything). That trophy gave Italian fans genuine hope after years of suffering.
But things went sideways when he surprisingly left for the Saudi Arabia national team job in 2023, leaving many fans feeling betrayed — like a pastor abandoning his congregation for a richer church in another city.
Now he is back, perhaps with something to prove.
What Needs to Change?
Anyone who has watched Italian football recently knows the problems run deep:
– A weak attacking lineup that struggles to score goals consistently
– Poor youth development compared to rivals like France, England, and Spain
– Tactical rigidity that has made the team predictable
Mancini will need to identify hungry young talents, inject fresh energy into the squad, and rebuild team spirit from scratch. It is not a small task — it is the kind of job that separates great coaches from ordinary ones.
Nigerian Football Fans, Take Note
Here in Nigeria, we understand what it feels like when a national team disappoints its people. The Super Eagles have had their own share of qualification drama and coaching controversies over the years. So when we see a football powerhouse like Italy going through such turbulence, it feels both familiar and sobering.
The lesson? No nation is too big to fall — and no nation is too broken to rise again, provided the right people are in charge with the right plan.
Whether Mancini can deliver that plan remains to be seen. But one thing is certain — Italian football fans, much like us, are tired of watching their team from the sofa during World Cup tournaments.
The clock is ticking, Roberto. E don reach time to deliver.
What do you think? Can Mancini restore Italy’s glory? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
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