Alessandro Altobelli, world champion in 1982 and teammate of Roberto Mancini in the National Team during the Euro ’88, expressed his point of view on the return of the coach to the helm of the Azzurri in an interview with Repubblica.

“Mancini is an exceptional coach, he could coach any team, all the great national teams, he is prepared, I even wrote to him, I sent him a message of congratulations, I wished him good luck because I hope he does well. But there is that stain,” said the former Inter striker.

The reference is to the decision to leave the Azzurri bench to accept the offer from Saudi Arabia. “He did well, he went to earn money. It was a work issue, he thought it was the right choice. But in these cases, then, you can’t say ‘I’m sorry.’ By now you’ve done it, you can’t regret it,” explained Altobelli.

Mancini had compared leaving the National Team to losing the woman of his life, but for Spillo the apologies came too late: “Too late, I’m sorry.” The former striker was skeptical about the public’s reaction: “I don’t know if the fans, the football enthusiasts, will forgive him. He got a second chance. And not everyone gets that. It’s something almost unique. Let’s see how he handles it.”

Altobelli acknowledged that Mancini can regain credibility through results: “He can avoid wasting this golden opportunity. With results maybe it can be forgotten.” The former footballer also commented on the presence of Claudio Ranieri and Giovanni Malagò in the orbit of the National Team, all three linked to the Roman environment and the Aniene club.

“I can’t anymore because of my age but if I wanted to be a coach I would sign up at Aniene. I recommend it to all young people: sign up for that club,” he joked. “They all come from Rome, from the same environment, from the same clubs and they are friends. I’m not talking about favoritism. I won’t do it. I’m waiting to understand what people think. Sometimes in life it’s not just about merit, which, mind you, all three have, they are all three very good. The problem is the method: how you get there.”

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