# Roberto Mancini likens leaving Italy to losing the love of his life

Former Italy manager Roberto Mancini compared his departure from the national team to the pain of losing a lifelong partner. Speaking about leaving the role after Italy's failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, Mancini expressed deep emotional attachment. The comment highlights the personal impact of high-stakes football management.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Sports
- [Fox News Sports](https://www.foxnews.com/sports/roberto-mancini-compares-leaving-italy-losing-woman-your-life) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:44:15 -0400