Mancini aims to win over fans with good play as Italy's new coach

Roberto Mancini, newly appointed coach of the Italian national football team, acknowledged potential fan skepticism following his departure in 2023. He stated his intention to win back supporters by ensuring the team plays well. "I will try to make the national team play so well that the fans will forgive me," Mancini said.

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I will try to make the national team play so well that the fans will forgive me.

Mancini apologized for the circumstances of his previous exit, describing it as a "lack of communication" with federation president Gabriele Gravina that, had it been addressed, might have changed the outcome. "If we had spoken, everything would have changed. It happened like this, I am very sorry," he explained.

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If we had spoken, everything would have changed. It happened like this, I am very sorry.

Looking ahead, Mancini expressed his commitment to the four-year contract, hoping to win one or two trophies and extend his tenure. He recalled his initial appointment five years prior, when many journalists ranked Italy as the seventh or eighth-best team in Europe. He highlighted the team's subsequent four-year unbeaten streak as evidence of their progress.

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The national team jersey is a bit like the woman of your life; if you lose her, you've made a mistake.

Mancini emphasized the importance of qualifying for the European Championship and the World Cup, asserting that once Italy reaches these tournaments, they become a formidable opponent. "If Italy goes to the World Cup as it should, then it becomes one of the teams to beat. Even if it arrives as an underdog, then we are dangerous. Now we must immediately form a team and achieve this, qualify for the European Championship and the World Cup," he stated.

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When we started the first time, 90% of journalists considered our team the seventh or eighth in Europe, but if we haven't lost in four years, it means we've done something good.