Dead man walking to one standing tall
THE last time Roberto Mancini was in a Wembley final, he was a dead man walking.
On the eve of Manchester City’s FA Cup final meeting with Wigan in 2013, news broke that Mancini was to be sacked, irrespective of the result.
Despite having led City to their first Premier League title the season before, his abrasive management style had started to lose its effect, leading to fall-outs with several players.
The City hierarchy feared high-profile players would leave unless Mancini was sacked, such was the depth of ill-feeling. That mutinous mood was reflected in City’s limp display – they were beaten 1-0 by Wigan, who were relegated three days later, in one of the biggest FA Cup final upsets (below).
City fans at Wembley made clear their feelings about Manuel Pellegrini, Mancini’s replacement, by chanting their support for the Italian and singing, “You can stick your Pellegrini up your a***.”
Afterwards, in an extraordinary post-match rant, Mancini let rip, accusing City staff of briefing against him. Less than 72 hours later, Mancini was axed.
Unsuccessful spells at
Galatasaray, Inter Milan and Zenit St Petersburg followed, before redemption came with his appointment as Italy boss.
After the ignominy of Italy failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup under Antonio Conte, Mancini was brought in to resurrect the national team, a task he has carried out with remarkable success.
Under Mancini, Italy scored a record 37 goals in qualifying for Euro 2020, and their march to tomorrow’s final against England has stretched their unbeaten run to 33 games.
The combative approach that riled so many players in his final season at City has been replaced by a more measured style, with Italy’s mix of young and experienced players thriving under Mancini.
Italy and Paris Saintgermain midfielder Marco Verratti said Mancini, 56, was the perfect manager to revive the nation’s fortunes. “I think he’s done a huge job,” said Verratti. “He’s done well wherever he’s coached. He’s been criticised but that’s only part of the picture. If you don’t win you get criticised – that’s normal in football. Results are paramount. But he’s done a great job with us. He’s a very special manager for us.
“He boosted our confidence when we lost it because of the negative results of the past. In that sense he was the perfect man for the job.
“He rekindled our enthusiasm. We haven’t lost in 33 matches – those are important statistics. They tell you he’s doing a great job.”
Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci said one of Mancini’s best achievements was restoring the famous Italian winning mentality.
“He gave us our confidence back,” Bonucci said. “He gave us selfesteem and made us believe that what he wanted was the right way. “What also helped us was the additional year before the Euros began.
“In that year we acquired more experience and enthusiasm.
“It allowed us to be here and to believe in something that seemed impossible three years ago.”