Mancini apologises for abandoning Italy as he returns to helm Azzurri

Roberto Mancini issued an apology in his first public comments Wednesday after being rehired to coach an Italy squad in crisis three years after he abandoned the same job for a lucrative contract with Saudi Arabia, the Associated Press and the Guardian reported.

"I am very sorry about the way my relationship with the Italian federation ended," Mancini said, according to the Guardian's Rome correspondent. "Some will be against my return, and I understand. Maybe people will forgive me."

The apology comes after a chaotic 16-day period in Italian football that saw Paolo Maldini and Leonardo resign from the federation's technical structure during the search for a new head coach, the BBC reported.

Mancini had initially guided Italy to European Championship glory in 2021 before abruptly resigning in August 2023 to take over the Saudi Arabia national team on a contract reported by international media to be worth significantly more than his FIGC salary. His departure left Italian football without its most successful recent manager and the Azzurri subsequently failed to qualify for the 2024 European Championship.

Now he returns to a squad that the BBC described as "in crisis," with a complicated technical setup that includes Claudio Ranieri as the new technical director. The BBC's wider analysis noted that the federation's president, Giovanni Malagò, had to navigate the resignations of Maldini and Leonardo before appointing Mancini. Adding to the backdrop, Carlo Ancelotti confirmed to ESPN that he had received an approach to coach his native Italy but turned it down because he remains committed to leading Brazil.

Mancini's return, though divisive among fans, is seen by the federation as the quickest route to stability ahead of the 2027 European Championship qualifiers. The Guardian reported that Mancini said he hoped his apology would be accepted and that he would focus entirely on rebuilding the national team's reputation.

"We need to bring back the spirit that made us European champions," Mancini added, according to the Associated Press. "I know it will not be easy, but I am ready to work."