Roberto Mancini on Sunday. marked the most important moment of his career by winning European Championship The title with an Italy side changed from the dark days of their 2018 World Cup qualifying failure.
four time world champion beat England 3-2 on penalties As the Euro 2020 final ended 1-1 after extra time at Wembley, Italy claimed its second European crown, and its first since 1968.
“It hasn’t dipped yet, but we’re happy for the Italian public because they really deserve it after a trying period. It’s a great pleasure for us,” Mancini said.
It was his 14th trophy as a manager and his first with Italy after being reduced as a player with the national team between 1984 and 1994.
“I was lucky enough to play in a great team in 1990 and a great under-21 team in 1988, but despite the fact that we were the best team, we didn’t win it and ended up on penalties. Lost both times, so I was due for it.”
In May 2018, some were in a hurry to take over from Gian Piero Ventura, when Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years.
The first choice Carlo Ancelotti politely declined, before Zenit St. Petersburg coach Mancini did his “dream” job.
Mancini had been coaching for 17 years, winning trophies with Fiorentina, Lazio, Inter, Manchester City and Galatasaray.
But his coaching career had lost a sense of purpose since leaving the city in 2013 before the Azurri hotseat fell vacant.
His first task was to restore confidence in a demoralized side.
Captain Giorgio Chiellini said, “At the beginning when he said we had to think about winning the European Championship, we also thought he was crazy.”
The 36-year-old defender was at the San Siro in Milan in November 2017 when Italy lost their World Cup play-off to Sweden.
“But it’s a dream he slowly inserted into our heads until it became reality,” Chiellini said.
The victory comes after three years of rebuilding, which was done with the support of several of his former Sampdoria teammates, including former Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli.
Facelift Italy was without the big stars, with the bulk of their international experience mainly centered around Chiellini and fellow Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci.
“He worked it to the head, which gave us our confidence, enthusiasm, self-esteem back,” said Bonucci, 34.
“He’s a man of few words, but he made a great group and he revived a team that was at its lowest in 60 years. With great calm, he radiates calmness and confidence,” Chiellini continued.
‘Youth, modern sport’
The figures under Mancini have been impressive.
As of September 2018, a series of 39 matches with just two defeats and 34 matches without a loss is going on.
During the European Championship he broke the national record of 30 games without defeat set by former World Cup winning coach Vittorio Pozzo in the 1930s, and is now just one behind the record of 35 held by both Spain and Brazil.
Prior to this impeccable Euro, Italy had enjoyed a perfect qualifying run with 10 wins from 10 matches, and made it to the last four of the Nations League, played in Milan and Turin in October.
They also won the first three matches of their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.
But beyond the results, the former Sampdoria and Lazio striker has built a modern team with a lucrative brand of football.
A solid midfield from Marco Verratti, Jorginho and Niccol Barella proved crucial to victory while remaining faithful to Italy’s defensive fundamentals.
They have opened doors for players, with 77 called up in three years and 35 of them making debuts.
Niccol Zaniolo got his first call in September 2018 at the age of 19, before making his league debut with the club side Roma.
Barella, 24, and Federico Chiesa, 23, were among the architects of the European coronation, with the likes of Manuel Locatelli, 23, and Matteo Pesina, 24, also paying off.
“I’m very proud, because when I arrived it was not a good situation. Everyone said Italy didn’t have good quality players,” Mancini said.
Decline followed Italy’s 2006 World Cup victory, with the group stage exits in the 2010 and 2014 editions, despite reaching the Euro 2012 final and the quarter-finals in 2016.
For Azzurri legend Luigi Riva, the victory belongs to Mancini over a team that won Italy’s last European Championship 53 years ago.
“Mancini has given the team a young, modern game, has made his mark,” said Italy’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 35 goals in 42 appearances.
“It’s their national team.”
Mancini now has plenty of time to continue shaping up his national team for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, whose contract has been extended until 2026 ahead of Euro.
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