Florenzi ‘was afraid Mancini would resign’ as Italy coach

Alessandro Florenzi reveals he was more afraid Roberto Mancini would resign as Italy coach after winning EURO 2020 than when they failed to qualify for the World Cup.

The Azzurri went from heroes to zeroes, lifting the European Championship trophy at Wembley Stadium before then losing the 2022 World Cup play-off against North Macedonia.

Many expected Mancini to offer his resignation, but instead he doubled down with the Nazionale.

“I was more afraid he would resign when we won the Euros, to be honest,” replied Florenzi in a press conference.

“That was just my sensation that I had.”

The Finalissima with Argentina at Wembley on June 1 will be Giorgio Chiellini’s final match for Italy and it could represent the end of an era for Italy going into the Nations League.

“I think the coach will make his evaluations. Aside from Chiellini, the rest of us will remain at his disposal. It’ll be special being back at Wembley as Champions of Europe. The disappointment of the World Cup remains, but we mustn’t lose sight of the joy of what we did in the Euros either.”