Italy coach Roberto Mancini admits he considered resigning after their World Cup qualifying failure.

The Azzurri were eliminated from the Qatar finals just a year after winning the Euros.

“We did something wrong and sometimes you have to have a bit of luck, as happened at the European Championships where we deserved to win," said former Inter Milan coach Mancini.

“We have to accept defeats, even if they are hard, and start again. In the qualifying round we were always in the lead, we dominated it as we did in Basel. The second match against Switzerland in Rome was a bit more difficult but we had that penalty in the 89th minute…

“It was a group in which we were quite calm, despite the difficulties and injuries the team did not devolve, that's what we regret.

“Leaving aside the game with Macedonia, which was a doomed match as we conceded the goal on the first shot in the 94th minute, we went to the play-offs without ever losing.

“The desire to coach is always there, the two Nations League games gave us a little help, getting to a final stage is always good. But now the most difficult month begins."

He conceded: “When things don't go well it's clear that the responsibility lies with the coach, it can also be, I have also thought about leaving."