Andrea Mancini, the son of Italy coach Roberto Mancini, speaks to Tribal Football just hours before the Euro 2020 final against England.
A former footballer, many experiences abroad including Manchester City and Honved, Andrea Mancini is the second son of Roberto Mancini (Filippo, Andrea and Camilla). In the last two years he has been working as a manager inside Rocco Commisso's Fiorentina.
Andrea looks a lot like Roberto, he also has the same voice, but the son has different dreams than his father, who will be prowling the Wembley touchline against Gareth Southgate's England in a few hours.
An exciting, beautiful match. And a few hours before Italy-England, we were lucky enough to be able to talk to Andrea Mancini, who told us about his childhood spent among legends and being raised by a "caring" father, who is "relaunching Italian football".
Here's what Mancini said exclusively to Tribal Football.
How proud are you of your dad? His name is everywhere, Italians will love him no matter how it ends: how do you feel about this?
“I am so proud to have such a father. He is doing something important, incredible, just look at where was the National team when he took over and where his team is today. He and the boys managed to give evenings of joy and happiness to all Italians, after having suffered a lot in the last two years, I hope he will be able to give one last immense joy tomorrow night."
What kind of dad is Roberto? Do you find big differences between the man and the coach? How was he during this tournament?
“He is a caring father, present, he is a father who wants the best for his children. Obviously, things are a bit different since football is his work too, but while working he is the same person.
"I think that his national team is like a family and that he treats the boys as if they were his children. When I talked to him, he always seemed serene, focused, calm and aware of the work that he has done. I hope we win, but he has always been calm, he has a lot of experience in football, he has been in it for 40 years, he has everything it takes to manage these moments."
You also played for Manchester City: what memories do you have of that experience? And what does it feel like now as a fan to face England, the team of the nation in which you lived?
“I played for City when my dad was working there and I found myself very well in England, also my dad. It's exciting, because my dad also won a trophy at Wembley, if I'm not mistaken the first one (1-0 against Stoke City). It is exciting, at the time I supported City, an English team, now we have to cheer for Italy. It is a nice feeling."
Would you like to follow in your father's footsteps, to train? If so, does your dad ever give you tips and ideas? What do you see in your future, both the immediate future and a few years from now?
"I never thought about coaching, I got my sporting director's license, in the last two years I worked at Fiorentina, where there is the same president I had at Cosmos, I was lucky enough to know him. I had a great time, Commisso is on another category, I have infinite esteem for him. In the future I see myself as a sporting director of a club, clearly after having gained experience."
There are only a few hours left until the Final, you will be doubly tense for obvious reasons: did you hear from your dad? Are there superstitious rituals between you guys?
“There are a few hours left, but I'm not too tense, I'm serene. I hope it will be an evening of joy, of celebration. There are no particular superstitious rituals, but during this Euros I have been sending him a message of good luck every day at the same time, 18:59."
The Italian national team is carrying a whole movement, you have played abroad and you have an experience that many players do not have: what can Italian football do to grow even more? What did you find abroad that wasn't here and vice-versa?
“I think the Italian football movement is growing, thanks to my dad but also thanks to the clubs that are attempting to relaunch themselves. For example, Serie A is the league with more goal-scorers in this European Championship. It is a growing movement, we are returning to the level of other nations, we must keep going on this path, believing in young people, in the end I am convinced that we will return to the same level of the big leagues like the Premier League. Winning the European Championship would be the icing on the cake, for Serie A too."
The relationship between your father and Gianluca Vialli is known to everyone, what was it like growing up with such legends all around you? What relationship do you have? You grew up among great footballers, icons…do you think it was a different childhood?
"The relationship between my father and Gianluca… it is as if they were brothers, they have known each other since the 80s, they played together, they grew up together, they have been through moments of joy and pain together, plus Gianluca is my brother's godfather. I was lucky to grow up in this world, I grew up with so many people I admired, with my idols from when I was a kid. Perhaps a different adolescence from the average, but I am a guy like anyone else."
Tell us the truth: are you more scared, more excited or more tense? Will you be at Wembley Stadium?
“No, I'm not scared, it's a football match. I am sure it will be a beautiful final, two teams that have deserved to play this match. England have also changed their DNA, assimilating the playing style of many foreign coaches who have worked in Premier League, they have raised many very technical and talented players, whereas before it was much more physical football. The stadium will be almost sold out and this is important, it is important for football in general.
"Scared no, but excited yes, it is a great thrill to see a European final in your country, with your dad coaching one side...few people are lucky enough to live experiences like this, I hope he can win to convey joy and happiness to all Italians. Yes, I will follow the match live, I will be in London tomorrow and I hope to go home with a smile on my face."
