Materazzi backs Mancini’s Italy return, Mourinho to pressure Barcelona

Marco Materazzi has described Roberto Mancini’s potential return as Italy head coach as ‘an important solution’ and believes José Mourinho’s second spell at Real Madrid will ‘put pressure on Barcelona’. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the 2006 World Cup winner and former Inter defender reflected on Mancini’s possible national-team comeback. Materazzi played under Mancini at Inter Milan and stressed the need for a figure capable of assuming major responsibility.

Materazzi added: “He left the national team a few years ago. If he has the desire to return and take on a big responsibility, he could be an important part of the solution.” His comments come amid ongoing speculation over Mancini’s future following his exit from the Saudi Arabia bench.

The ex-Inter defender also addressed Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid, calling him “the right coach for Real Madrid” despite reservations about his playing style. “Perhaps his playing style is not aesthetically exciting, but it brings results. He’ll break the balance and put some pressure on Barcelona,” Materazzi said.

Materazzi’s remarks were made during an interview conducted in Al Rayyan, Qatar, where he was present for the AFC Asian Cup. The 47-year-old, who won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, spoke from Education City Stadium on January 25, 2024.

On the club front, Materazzi previously mocked RedBird advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the “biggest Inter fan in history” and declined to offer solutions for AC Milan’s Champions League absence, stating: “Even if I had it, as an Inter fan, I wouldn’t say it.”

AC Milan finished outside the Champions League places last season and remain without a permanent football director after the departures of Giorgio Furlani, Igli Tare and Geoffrey Moncada at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.