Premier League outfit Newcastle United have been linked with a shock move for Italy manager Roberto Mancini after the World Cup qualification defeat to North Macedonia, via Corriere della Sera.
Mere minutes after blasting a penalty over the bar last week, consigning Turkey to a 3-1 defeat to Portugal in Thursday’s play-off tie, a clearly dejected Burak Yilmaz brought the curtain down on his international career.
Mancini may have been tempted to do the same himself. Especially after Italy suffered arguably their most humiliating defeat since North Korea triumphed over the Azzurri all the way back in 1966.
But rather than bow out in a blaze of dissatisfaction, a man who led Italy to European Championship glory less than 12 months ago has opted to mull things over, weigh up his options and, slowly and calmly, consider his future at the helm.
What next for Roberto Mancini and World Cup-less Italy?
The contrast to 2018 – when Gian Piero Ventura was hounded out after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958 – could hardly be any more pronounced.
The feeling remains that, if you were to draw up a list of reasons for Italy’s failure against North Macedonia, Mancini’s name would appear right near the bottom.
“Let’s face it, our national team is a mediocre team,” says former Roma ace Antonio Cassano. “Mancini took them to the top last summer, playing in a way never seen before.
“I am truly sorry for Roberto. Whoever asks for his resignation should be ashamed.
“We should all pray that Mancini will remain at the helm of the national team. He is the lifeline of Italy. Italy has a mediocre team and Mancini has work miracles so far.”
Cassano will be thrilled to learn, then, that the former Manchester City boss is leaning towards staying in the job.
Correire dello Sera believe that Newcastle have tested the waters. But such claims should probably be taken with a pinch of salt (FCInter1908).
After all, Newcastle executive Mehrdad Ghodoussi tells The Athletic that he wants Eddie Howe to be Tyneside’s answer to Sir Alex Ferguson.
And while Howe does not come close to Mancini when it comes to international recognition and silverware, the former Bournemouth boss has impressed sufficiently at St James’ Park to quell any speculation about his future thus far.
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