Exclusive interview
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Roberto Mancini admits he’d return to the English Premier League ‘anytime’ as the 60-year-old prepares for a return to management. In an exclusive wide-ranging interview with Transfermarkt, Mancini opened up on several topics including his managerial ambitions, Manchester City, Vincent Kompany and Serie A.
The popular Italian has been without a club since leaving his post as Saudi Arabia boss in October 2024 and Mancini concedes he ‘totally misses being a coach’. Transfermarkt understands that Mancini has received several proposals to return to the dugout but he’s waiting for the right offer. Mancini spent four years at Manchester City and famously led them to their first English top-flight title in 44 years in 2012.
Roberto Mancini: Exclusive interview
Asked whether he’d want to manage in the Premier League again, Mancini said: “Anytime. Every league is special. I really enjoyed the Premier League and the years I spent in the UK. Every coach dreams of coaching in the Premier League. Apart from that, I really appreciate the experience I’ve gained in Turkey, Russia and Saudi Arabia. In today’s football, you have to gain experience with different cultures, traditions and mentalities and combine everything you’ve learned from all these countries to get along with the different nationalities in the locker room.”
Sergio Agüero’s dramatic title-winning goal in the final minute against QPR is probably the most iconic moment in Premier League history. Mancini believes that Agüero’s acquisition from Atletico Madrid is the best signing of his career and he believes his tenure at City laid the foundations for the incredible success enjoyed by Pep Guardiola. Mancini continued: “It was one of the most beautiful and intense moments of my athletic career. The incredible intensity that this league has every weekend culminated in this title. We implemented a long-term plan and started a series of successes that has continued under Guardiola in a great way and ultimately achieved the goal of the 2023 Champions League title.”
Mancini rejected opportunities to return to the Premier League after leading Italy to the Euro 2021 title against England at Wembley. The Italian has managed Fiorentina, Lazio and Inter Milan twice in his homeland but he doesn’t intend on returning to Serie A for his next job. “I totally miss being a coach,” Mancini admitted. “Serie A is my home league, but I would like to gain new experiences and focus on other leagues. Serie A is experiencing a radical change of mentality and structure. It is the end of the era of patrons who invested in their teams out of love and passion. Football is now an international business and the ownership structure of the Serie A teams reflects this. To be successful, you need the fans, the press and everything that goes with it to understand and adapt to this fundamental change.”
Mancini famously appointed Vincent Komapny captain during his spell at Man City and the Belgian has now embarked on a career in management. Eyebrows were raised when Kompany was appointed Bayern Munich manager last summer but he won the Bundesliga in his maiden season in Bavaria and Mancini isn’t surprised by his progression into the dugout. He said: “When he played for me, he was still too young to think about a coaching career. But his step does not surprise me, as he was a leader on the court. I wish him continued success in Munich, in this elite environment.”
