Krishnan Sreekumar
Italy manager Roberto Mancini to Manchester United a no-go despite Qatar World Cup failure
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Express), manager Roberto Mancini will stay put in his current role with the Italian national side despite their failure to qualify for the World Cup later this year, amid links to Manchester United.
The Red Devils are on the hunt for a new permanent manager in the summer once interim boss Ralf Rangnick finishes his tenure at the club at the end of the season. The German has been tasked with guiding the club to a top-four spot and ensuring that they play Champions League football next term.
Amongst the candidates for the vacant manager job at Old Trafford ahead of next season, Mancini was touted to be a possible option after his current role as Italy manager was at risk following their World Cup qualifier exit at the hands of minnows North Macedonia over the weekend.
Man United fans will be familiar with Mancini, with the Italian causing heartbreak for the red side of Manchester after guiding city rivals Manchester City to their first league title in the Premier League era, as the Red Devils lost out on the trophy on goal difference.
Mancini to stay put
Amid rumours of him taking over at Old Trafford in the summer following Italy’s humiliating defeat recently, it is now said that Mancini will remain in his post as manager of the national team. The Italian only signed a contract extension until 2026 last year, and FIGC President Gabriele Gravia stressed that he would not dismiss the 57-year-old.
It is also said that the ex-Inter Milan boss has decided not to step down from his position. There are reports from Italy claiming that there was a 99.9% chance that the head coach won’t resign in the aftermath of Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Despite his World Cup qualification failure, Mancini’s role as Italy manager could not have been in too much doubt as he only recently won the UEFA Euros with his side, beating England in the final at Wembley. The Azzurri triumphed over the Three Lions in a penalty shootout in the summit clash.
Had he been appointed as Man United’s manager, it would have been interesting to see whether the supporters would take kindly to the Italian’s hiring by the club. Given the rivalry between City and United, there could be some hostility to Mancini taking over at the Theatre of Dreams.
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Despite all these rumours, Ajax Amsterdam boss Erik ten Hag is the leading candidate to be offered the job ahead of the new season, with the club looking at the Dutchman as the preferred option. Only time will tell whether the Manchester side will be led out by ten Hah in the 2022/23 season to usher in a new era.
For the time being, all focus will be on Rangnick and his men to finish the season strongly and qualify for the UCL. Currently, in sixth place, it will be a long and difficult journey, but we have enough quality in the team to ensure that we make it to fourth place by the summer.
