Roberto Mancini reveals Italy resignation was for "personal" reasons

Roberto Mancini has revealed that his decision to resign as Italy head coach was for "personal" reasons.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced the surprise departure of the 58-year-old on Sunday after five years in charge of the Azzurri.

Mancini successfully led Italy to Euro 2020 glory, with a penalty-shootout triumph in the final over England at Wembley Stadium securing their first major piece of silverware since the 2006 World Cup.

The former Manchester City and Inter Milan boss also led Italy to two third-placed finishes at the UEFA Nations League finals in 2021 and 2023, with his final game in charge a 3-2 win over the Netherlands in the third-place playoff in June.

Mancini won 39 of his 61 games in charge of the Azzurri, who set a world-record 37-match unbeaten run on the international stage under his tutelage between 2018 and 2021.

Mancini has since bid farewell to the Italian national team with a message on social media, and has briefly explained his decision to step down.

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A post shared by Roberto Mancini (@mrmancini10)

A statement on Instagram read: "Resigning as CT of the Nazionale was a personal decision of mine," Mancini wrote on his official Instagram account.

"I would like to thank Gabriele Gravina (FISC president) for the confidence he showed in me, as well as all members of the FIGC.

"I salute and thank all of my players as well as the fans, who have stood by me over the last five years. I will always hold the extraordinary victory at EURO 2020 close to my heart. It has been an honour."

Meanwhile, Mancini's mother Marianna has also responded to her son's 'surprise' resignation and has insisted that she was unaware of his decision to step down from his post.

"[I knew] Nothing, I swear to you," Marianna told Quotidiano Nazionale as quote by Football Italia. "I found out from my cousin. She called me a little while ago and said that they had said on TV that Roberto had resigned. I was surprised too.

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"Look, I'll explain something. We and Roberto never talk about his work. That has always been our relationship. We only care that he is well.

"He is now in France on holiday, and I still haven't heard from him. I'll certainly talk to him later and we'll also try to understand something more."

Marianna added: "We actually just saw each other! He came here on August 2 for my birthday. We had a nice party. Then on the 5th he left and went to Sardinia for the birthday of Filippo's daughter.

"We speak often if that's the case, but we've never talked about the national team. He is a very honest and generous person, you know that. Roberto is a good person."

Mancini's resignation comes around seven months after the death of Italian legend and former assistant coach Gianluca Vialli, who passed away at the age of 58 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

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Asked if her son is still mourning the death of Vialli, Marianna said: "That's right, Roberto has a big heart. He never really got over Gianluca Vialli's death. He was very attached to him.

"I don't know, really (if anything is bothering him). In Gianluca's place they decided to put someone else (Gianluigi Buffon, ed.), but I don't even remember who it is. They made the decision a few days ago, if I'm not mistaken.

"I have no idea (what will happen now), I'll call him and talk to him as I always have. If he wants, Roberto will explain to me why he took this decision and we, as his parents, will always be close to him. This will always be his home."

According to Sky Sports News, Mancini has held talks over becoming the next manager of the Saudi Arabia national team.

Italy are expected to appoint a successor to Mancini "in the next few days" and have allegedly identified Luciano Spalletti and Antonio Conte as their primary targets.