Treated Differently With Roberto Mancini, Former Italy National Team Coach Confesses: I Was Left Alone At The San Siro

JAKARTA - Roberto Mancini decided to stay in the Italian national team after failing to penetrate the 2022 World Cup. Mancini's decision could not be separated from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) which was able to convince the coach to stay.

This fact turned out to make the former coach of the Italian national team, Gian Piero Ventura, feel jealous. He felt treated differently by the FIGC when he failed to bring Gli Azzurri to the 2018 World Cup.

At that time, Ventura brought Italy to finish second in the 2018 World Cup qualifying group standings, behind Spain. In the playoffs, the team from the Land of Pizza lost to Sweden.

If Mancini has the support of the FIGC, not so with Ventura. Instead, he was abandoned and felt the most guilty.

"After the defeat to North Macedonia, President (FIGC) Gabriele Gravina sat down next to Mancini. I was left alone at the San Siro, I was the only one at fault. It was unfair," Ventura told Il Corriere Della Sera.

At that time, the FIGC was led by Carlo Tavecchio.

"I paid for my mistakes, but it's in the past and I've forgotten it," said the former Torino and Napoli coach.

Ventura then supported Mancini's decision to stay with Gli Azzurri. He said all conditions were met to continue what had been built.

"This team has been brave during the Euros, but against North Macedonia you could feel the fatigue and the tension," said the 74-year-old.

"I don't want to make comparisons. I hope Italy will again become the best team in the world," he concluded.