Italy Head Coach Roberto Mancini has described the Azzurri’s shock 1-0 defeat to minnows North Macedonia in their World Cup play-off on Thursday as the biggest disappointment in his coaching career.
The former Manchester City Manager who led Italy to a famous triumph at the 2020 Euros, has refused to be drawn into a discussion about his future after the European champions confirmed their elimination from the play-off.
A late dramatic winner from Aleksandar Trajkovski was enough on the night as the Azzurri for the first time in their history, failed to qualify for successive World Cup finals, having also missed out on a place at the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Speaking to the press after the game in Palermo, Mancini expressed his disappointment and stated that it was not the right time to discuss his future as Italy boss.
“Just as the Euros was the most wonderful experience of my life, this was the biggest disappointment. We can say nothing, that is football, sometimes incredible things happen and it happened,” Mancini told reporters, via Football Italia.
“We shouldn’t have been here in the first place, but we did everything we could to win and it’s hard to even talk about it.
“The victory at the Euros was absolutely deserved, we played great football. Then some of the fortune we had in that tournament turned into total and complete bad luck, as some unbelievable things happened from September onwards.
“We dominated the group, all we needed was one of those moments to go well, but neither of them did. Tonight, it feels almost as if conceding a goal at the 92nd minute was fitting. This is a group of fine players and I am sorry for them.”
Asked specially about his future, Mancini added: “We will see. I think everyone is too disappointed right now to talk about the future.
“I have to say, I care more for my lads now than I did in July. This is such a tough moment, my affection for them is immense. It’s too early to say what happens next, as there is such disappointment, but at the same time this is a squad of great players with a bright future.”
