Italy’s Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi admitted that he was sorry, but also left ‘perplexed’ by Roberto Mancini’s decision to resign as head coach of the Italy national team on Sunday afternoon.
Abodi also revealed that he had not been expecting Mancini to resign, and had in fact learned of his departure through media reports, like everybody else.
Mancini had also recently been named as the co-ordinator for Italy’s various youth sides, giving him more control over tactics and player development, an appointment which Abodi has now questioned.
The minister asked whether Mancini had been fully on board with his new appointment, given that he must have been aware that stepping down was a possibility.
Speaking to ANSA, reported by Gianluca Di Marzio, Abodi said: “I am sorry and perplexed. It is a decision that came as a surprise on August 15th, it’s all very strange. I heard it from the media.”
He continued: “Among other things, it makes me think: were the recently-announced appointments of the Azzurri technical staff agreed with him or not?”
The FIGC have promised via their official press release that a successor will be appointed in the coming days.
Italy’s next matches come on September 9 and September 12 against North Macedonia and Ukraine respectively.