Roberto Mancini, the new technical director of Italy, described his departure from his country's national team three years ago as losing his life partner.
Mancini said in statements at the press conference to introduce him: "I feel disappointed because the national team jersey has always been important to me. It's like losing your life partner; I made a grave mistake. I'm sorry, but now, thanks to fate and the federation president Malago, I can make up for it. I will do my utmost to restore the national team to its rightful place."
Regarding the reason for his departure, he replied: "Three years ago, there was a breakdown in communication between me and Gabriele Gravina, the federation president. If we had spoken, everything would have changed. That's how things went."
Claudio Ranieri, the sports director of the Italian Federation, and Giovanni Malago, president of the Italian Federation, were present at the press conference.
He revealed his future goals with the Italy national team: "We will start anew with the young players, and I hope we will have an attacking spirit. We must be proactive and strive to win in all matches."
He added: "We seek to recruit young players capable of development. It is important that they play abroad and reach the English Premier League."
He continued: "I believe the same game plan must be applied across all age groups, from under-18 to under-21."
He added: "When we started last time, 95% of journalists thought we were the seventh or eighth team in Europe, then we set a record for the number of victories."
He went on to talk about his goals: "When Italy qualifies for the World Cup or the European Championship, it becomes a dangerous opponent. Our goal is to build a strong team immediately and strive for results in the UEFA Nations League, the European Championship, and the World Cup."
Regarding the competition in the UEFA Nations League, he said: "All four groups are difficult. We will need to understand our current level; it will be complicated, not just for us."
The Italy national team is in Group 1 alongside France, Belgium, and Turkey.
He continued: "We want to qualify in the UEFA Nations League, then we will think about the Euros, and after that the World Cup."
Mancini also spoke about the number of foreign players in the Italian league: "Unfortunately, the percentage is almost the same as it was three years ago. We hope more Italian players will be used, and if they play abroad, that's fine."
He added: "I don't think our situation is very bad in attack. Pio Esposito, Moise Kean, and Retegui — none of them should be considered 'young.' I hope the new players score the same goals that Immobile scored in the Italian league."
He added: "I believe there are talented young Italian players. You have to give them confidence and allow them to play. If you remember Zaniolo when he joined us, he wasn't even playing in the second division. In the first training camp he was struggling, and after three months he became a completely different player."
He added: "I will try to form a team capable of repeating our achievements from a few years ago. The players are there, they are young, and we must give them confidence. We will try to be proactive and perform well."
He concluded his remarks about opposition to his appointment, saying: "When you are the coach of the national team, there is always pressure, and you must focus on the work that needs to be done. When I arrived, I stayed for five years, which is a long time. I want to win one or two important titles.
He concluded: "I am the national team coach, and I understand that there are those who oppose it. I hope the team performs well so that the fans forgive me.
The Italy national team begins its UEFA Nations League matches against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico on September 25.
European qualifiers for Euro 2028 will also begin in March 2027.
Under Mancini's leadership, the Italy national team won Euro 2020 and finished third in the UEFA Nations League at the expense of the Netherlands.
