Roberto Mancini has made it clear that his goal is to restore Italy to the summit of international football and bring the team back to trophy-winning ways.
Speaking ahead of the next round of fixtures, the former Italy coach emphasized that the Azzurri still carry the weight of history and expectation, and that the only standard worth chasing is silverware. He pointed to the Euro 2020 triumph as proof of what the team can achieve when there is belief, unity, and a clear playing identity, but also acknowledged that recent setbacks have made it harder to maintain that momentum.
Mancini said the current project is about blending experience with a new generation of players who can grow into leaders. He wants Italy to play with the same attacking intent and tactical discipline that defined their best moments, while also rebuilding the confidence that comes from winning consistently at the highest level. That means focusing not just on qualifying for major tournaments, but on being genuine contenders once they get there.
He also highlighted the importance of the domestic game, arguing that Italian clubs and the national setup need to work more closely to develop talent capable of competing in Europe. For Mancini, trophies are not won by chance. They come from long-term planning, culture, and a willingness to demand more from every player who wears the shirt.
With World Cup and European Championship cycles approaching, he believes there is time to reset and build, but the ambition has to be immediate. Italy, he said, should never go into a tournament hoping to compete. The aim must be to win, and everything the team does from now on should be geared toward getting back to that mentality.
