Despite the support of his captain Giorgio Chiellini and the president of the Italian Federation Gabriele Gravina and despite a comfortable contract until 2026, the man of the "rebirth" of the Azzurri, who became European champions last summer after having already was banned from the big world in 2018, did not hide that the blow is hard.

"As the victory in July was I think the most beautiful thing I have known professionally, this is the biggest disappointment", he underlined, hotly, after the surprise defeat against Macedonia du Nord (1-0) in the play-off semi-final.

The joy of North Macedonia players in front of Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, after eliminating Squadra Azzurra, 1-0 in the semi-finals of the play-offs for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, March 24, 2022 in Palermo Alberto PIZZOLI AFP

"When we lose, we have to suffer and remain silent... I feel responsible, when we lose it is always the coach who is primarily responsible, I suffer from it," added the 57-year-old technician, who arrived at the head of Italy four years ago on the ruins of non-qualification for the 2018 World Cup, after a defeat, in the play-off already, against Sweden.

Italian coach Roberto Mancini, after the elimination of Squadra Azzurra, 1-0 against North Macedonia, in the semi-final of the play-offs for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, March 24, 2022 in Palermo Alberto PIZZOLI AFP

Chiellini, no less disappointed at 37 to see his dream of playing one last World Cup go up in smoke, however recalled how much Mancini was "essential to this Italian team".

Invincibility record

President Gravina, present alongside the coach during the post-match press conference in Palermo, also “wished” that he “quickly overcomes this elimination and regains the energy because he has a commitment with us. ".

The "Mancio" signed a contract extension last year until 2026, the date of the next World Cup for Italy now, as a reward for the patient work of reconstruction launched after the departure of his predecessor Gian Piero Ventura, carried away by the "apocalypse" of 2017 against Sweden.

At the helm of an injured Nazionale, the former Sampdoria striker, accompanied by his faithful Gianluca Vialli, had been able to restore the players' confidence and revolutionize the Italian game, by focusing on ball control and movement towards forward rather than just defensively, which has been a strong point for generations.

This "rebirth" was crowned by an invincibility record for a nation (37 matches without defeat between September 2018 and October 2021) and above all the title of European champion.

But he did not escape the "tradition" that the years following success in Italy (1982, 2006) are often difficult.

The joy of the Italians after their victory in the final of Euro 2020 against England (1-1, 3-2 on tab), July 11, 2021 at Wembley Stadium in London Michael Regan POOL / AFP / Archives

Fabio Cannavaro quoted

The former Inter Milan and Manchester City coach, with impeccable suits and a piercing gaze under his gray locks, has lost some of his magic -- some say his luck -- in recent months, in particular to renew a penalty attack.

In particular, he maintained blind faith in the European champions, even when they seemed a little tired, such as Lorenzo Insigne, transparent against North Macedonia.

In view of his results, however, it is unlikely to see a trial of Mancini, the day after this historic humiliation - it is the first time that four-time world champion Italy will miss two World Cups. rank --.

The decision will therefore largely depend on the person concerned and any desires he may have to reconnect with a club, knowing that the calendar of the Nazionale has now become much lighter: after the consolation match scheduled against Turkey on Tuesday, the Italy will contest the Nations League qualifiers in June and September and are due to meet Argentina on June 1 at Wembley for a duel between the European champions and the South American champions.

Italy coach Roberto Mancini greets supporters after the elimination of Squadra Azzurra, beaten 1-0 by North Macedonia, in the semi-finals of the World Cup-2022 play-offs in Qatar, March 24, 2022 in Palermo Alberto PIZZOLI AFP

In the event of departure, the Federation would already have names in mind, according to the Italian media: the 2006 world champion Fabio Cannavaro appears as a first choice, but the Gazzetta dello Sport also quotes Carlo Ancelotti, if the current coach of Real Madrid wanted to enrich his already enviable CV with a position as a coach.

© 2022 AFP