Over the past decade, Roberto Mancini has carved out a niche for himself as one of the best managers in the world.
The Italian manager has had success with clubs such as Manchester City and Inter Milan and now has proved himself on the international stage with the Italian national team.
Mancini’s Azzurri side won the 2020 European Championship by being the most dominant side in the competition, and a lot of it is down to the revolutionary coach at the helm.
Apart from being an astute tactician, Mancini is also a great motivator and man manager.
His motivation skill came to the forefront in a recently released footage from the Italy dressing room right before their EURO 2020 final against England at Wembley Stadium.
In the footage, Mancini is seen to be addressing his players directly before the final – and it was his words of motivation more than any tactical instruction that caught the eye of fans on social media.
Mancini is seen to be acquainting his players with the formation in the dressing room.
The Azzurri head coach lists the starting line-up on the drawing board one by one but refrains from adding any tactical information about their opponents.
The head coach merely informs the team that they know who they are, they know what to do, and they are not in the final by accident.
He further encouraged his side by adding that they are the masters of their own fate – not the referee, not the opposition, but only themselves. The Azzurri were fired up and looked ready for war.
It served as a rallying battle cry ahead of what was the most important game for the Azzurri for a long time, and it definitely seemed to work as Italy turned up on the final to win it on penalties.
While their incredible comeback since failing to qualify for the World Cup in 2018 can be accredited to the hugely motivated group of players, a massive chunk of credit has to go to their brilliant coach as well – for harnessing the true potential of a squad of so many talented players.
This is how Roberto Mancini tactically prepares the Azzurri before a final pic.twitter.com/p2vRSeJSN3
— Mario Gagliano7⃣7⃣⚽️ (@MARIOSweatshirt) July 17, 2021