Materazzi’s verdict on Mancini’s return as Italy coach, Mourinho will ‘put pressure’ on Barcelona

Italy 2006 World Cup winner Marco Materazzi insists Roberto Mancini’s return as Italy’s head coach ‘could be an important solution’ and feels José Mourinho will ‘put pressure on Barcelona’ as the new Real Madrid coach.

Former Inter and Italy defender Materazzi gave an interview to Corriere dello Sport, speaking about Mancini’s potential return as Italy’s head coach, among other things.

“He left the national team a few years ago,” said the ex-defender, who played under Mancini at Inter.

“If he has the desire to return and take on a big responsibility, he could be an important part of the solution.”

Another ex-Materazzi coach, Mourinho, is making headlines this summer after returning to Real Madrid for a second stint.

“He is the right coach for Real Madrid. 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.

Inter’s city rivals Milan failed to qualify for the Champions League last season and are still in talks to appoint new football directors after sacking Giorgio Furlani, Igli Tare and Geoffrey Moncada at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Materazzi already taunted RedBird’s advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic, calling him the “biggest Inter fan in history”, and when asked for a solution to solve the Rossoneri’s issues, he replied: “Even if I had it, as an Inter fan, I wouldn’t say it.”