Mancini exile from Premier puzzles Platt
DAVID PLATT finds it “incredulous” that Italy’s
Euro 2020-winning manager Roberto Mancini hasn’t been linked with a return to the Premier League.
Former England star
Platt, who won the Premier League and FA Cup Double with Arsenal, was Mancini’s assistant when Manchester City won their first league title of the Sheikh Mansour reign.
The pair had forged a close friendship during their time as players in Italy’s Serie A with Sampdoria and Platt knows what makes Mancini, 56, tick.
“It never surprised me that Robbie created a winning team with Italy because that’s what he has done all through his career,” said Platt (right).
“But I am absolutely amazed that he has not been linked with clubs over the last five or six years in England when you look at his CV and what he has done.
“The job at Spurs was going this summer and there was Everton as well, who managed to persuade another Italian, Carlo Ancelotti, to go there.
“I find it incredulous that he has not been linked with jobs like these.”
Platt, who also played for Bari and Juventus during a successful time in Italy, believes that Mancini will now extend his stay with the European champions to encompass next year’s World Cup finals.
He added: “I would be very surprised if he didn’t do the World Cup in Qatar because you would want that on your CV.
“It’s only 14 months away, so why not?
“After that, if they do well it’s likely he would be looking to get back into club management.
“I think he would come back to the Premier League if he thought he had a chance of winning somewhere.”