The Real Problem Isn’t Mancini — It’s the Italian Federation

By: Dr. Talal Osman

Italy… A Federation Without Direction, and a Project Collapsing Despite Mancini’s ReturnRoberto Mancini’s return to the position of head coach of the Italian national team could have been a moment of rebirth. However, the overall scene in Italian football today says something completely different: the Italian Football Federation is stumbling, the national team has no project, and Italy is reeling.This is not an emotional judgment, but the summary of three articles I wrote, Doctor Talal, about the administrative chaos, the expected coach, and the absence of vision. Today, Mancini’s press conference adds another layer of fog to the scene.Mancini… An Emotional Return, But in a Turbulent TimeMancini delivered an emotional, frank speech filled with admissions:

I made a mistake when I left.
I am returning to correct the past.
I want to build a long-term project.
I want a title… and perhaps two.

But the problem is not Mancini.
The problem lies in the system he is returning to.The federation that failed to protect the Maldini-Leonardo project, failed to manage the coaching file, and lacked the courage to continue with the Pirlo option is the same federation now asking Mancini to rebuild everything from scratch.Italy is Reeling… Because the Federation Has No VisionWhat happened in recent weeks reveals a shocking truth:
The Italian Football Federation does not know what it wants.

It wanted Ancelotti… without a plan.
It negotiated with Guardiola… without realism.
It rejected Pirlo… without a convincing explanation.
It lost Maldini and Leonardo… without any attempt to save the situation.

This is not project management; it is crisis management.
This is not the behavior of a federation building a national team, but one looking for a “big name” to extinguish the fire temporarily.Mancini Talks About a Project… While the Federation Destroys ProjectsMancini presented a clear vision:

4-3-3 as the tactical foundation.
Unifying the style of play across youth categories.
Building a new generation of defenders.
Trusting young talents.
Reintroducing modern attacking football.

But the real question is:
Does the federation have the ability to protect this project?Experience says no.
The federation that could not withstand the pressure from sponsors and politics in the Pirlo file will not withstand the first storm of poor results.The Italian National Team… Latent Power Without ManagementItaly is not a poor footballing nation.
It is a country with:

4 World Cups
2 Euros
A historic defensive school
Talents emerging every year despite league problems

But this latent power needs strong management, not a federation that stumbles with every decision.Mancini himself said it:
“Italy is a dangerous competitor whenever it qualifies for the World Cup or the Euros.”The problem is not with the players.
The problem is with the path leading them.The New Generation… A Wasted Opportunity If Not ProtectedMancini spoke confidently about:

Esposito
Retegui
Moise Kean
Zaniolo
Talents from the U19 and U21 teams

But these talents need a stable environment, a long-term project, and a federation that knows what it is doing.So far… the federation does not know.Italy is Reeling Because Its Leadership is ReelingMancini’s return may be a good step, but it is not enough.
The problem is not the coach, but the federation that changes its decisions every week, loses its key people, fears boldness, and runs away from responsibility.Italy today needs: