Mancini admits: I was WRONG to quit Italy job

Mancini left the Azzurri last year before being appointed Saudi Arabia coach just weeks later.

The former Inter Milan coach was sacked by the Saudis this month and told Il Giornale: “No, I would not make the choice to leave the Italian bench again.

“That solid relationship of trust that I had with the Federation had been mutually undermined. If I could go back, I would approach everything differently. If (FIGC President Gabriele) Gravina and I had spoken, explained and clarified, it probably wouldn't have been .” have gone this way.

“Coaching while you feel like your confidence in yourself is wavering, believe me, is not a nice feeling. It does not guarantee that you can get started with the right rest. Nevertheless, I blame myself for not facing everything more clearly. Between me and Gravina: there has always been a relationship based on great respect and dialogue. And when it might have been necessary to speak clearly, it was not done.”

On the Saudi contract, Mancini also said: “I do not deny that proposing such a high figure for a coach – even if it is lower than what the newspapers reported – puts you in a crisis. not decisive. It had an impact, but it wasn't just that that made me leave the national team bench.

“Have you ever regretted a bad choice? Well, leaving the national team was a bad choice that I wouldn't make again.”