The European champion suffered a resounding 1-0 loss Thursday in Palermo once morest its humble guest, North Macedonia, in the semi-finals of the third track of the European playoff qualifying for the Qatar World Cup 2022, which raised speculation that Mancini might resign. He told the media on the sidelines of the friendly match in Konya once morest its host Turkey, which in turn lost once morest Portugal, that he had discussed with Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian Football Federation: “I spoke with the president in recent days, I think we are on the same wave in almost everything.”
The 47-year-old added, “We will talk regarding it once more in the coming days, we will meet once more following this match. Then we will talk regarding what can be developed for the future. That’s all.”
The names of the likes of former player Fabio Cannavaro, who won the 2006 World Cup, and Carlo Ancelotti, coach of Real Madrid, were circulated to succeed Mancini.
The coach’s contract with the Italian national team extends until the next edition of the World Cup in 2026, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
