Italy coach Roberto Mancini surprisingly resigned on Sunday, ending an an up-and-down tenure with the nationwide staff that included a European Championship title in 2021 but additionally a failed qualification for final yr’s World Cup.

The Italian soccer federation issued a brief announcement saying that Mancini communicated his resignation “late last night,” including {that a} new coach could be named “over the next days.”

The federation doesn’t have a lot time with Euro 2024 qualifying matches towards North Macedonia and Ukraine scheduled for Sept. 9 and 12, respectively.

Former Italy coach Antonio Conte, who left Tottenham in March, and Luciano Spalletti, who led Napoli to the Serie A title final season and mentioned he needs to take a sabbatical this season, are amongst these being talked about as a doable alternative.

Only 9 days in the past, the federation had introduced that Mancini was being given the added duty of overseeing the under-20 and under-21 groups, too. He was beneath contract via the 2026 World Cup.

“It’s a bit surprising. Nobody expected it,” Renzo Ulivieri, the president of Italy’s coaches affiliation, advised the LaPresse information company. “Nothing may be mentioned till the explanations behind the resignation are recognized. It’s ineffective to say something with out understanding that.

PHOTOS: Roberto Mancini declares shock resignation as Italy coach after up-and-down tenure

“I’m sorry that he’s left. He did a good job despite those last things,” Ulivieri added, referring to the failed World Cup qualification.

Mancini was employed in May 2018 to revive the Azzurri after additionally they did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup beneath predecessor Gian Piero Ventura. And he did by including aptitude and youth to a staff that gained admirers all around the continent throughout the year-delayed Euro 2020.

Mancini was hailed for his imaginative and prescient when he referred to as up then-Roma ahead Nicolò Zaniolo earlier than he had ever performed in Serie A, however he additionally struggled to seek out prime gamers from the Italian league, which has been hesitant to make use of younger gamers at instances.

A 1-0 semifinal playoff loss to 67th-ranked North Macedonia at residence final yr meant that the Azzurri missed the World Cup in Qatar.

It’s additionally been an emotional time for Mancini, who misplaced his good good friend, former teammate and nationwide staff delegation chief Gianluca Vialli to pancreatic most cancers in January. Vialli was 58.

Siniša Mihajlović, one other of Mancini’s former teammates after which a fellow coach, died three weeks earlier than Vialli following a protracted battle with leukemia. He was 53.

It’s unclear what’s subsequent for the 58-year-old Mancini, who was a number one membership coach earlier than taking up the nationwide staff, having gained league titles at each Inter Milan and Manchester City.

Mancini was additionally a standout participant for Sampdoria, Lazio and Italy.

Mancini’s exit places the federation in full rebuilding mode, with girls’s coach Milena Bertolini having additionally introduced her resignation after the Azzurre did not advance from the Women’s World Cup group stage.

Mancini’s final match in cost was a 3-2 win over the host Netherlands within the Nations League closing 4 third-place match on June 18.

Having misplaced its opening Euro 2024 qualifier to England, Italy can also be going through an uphill battle to qualify for subsequent yr’s event in Germany.

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