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| | Thursday 31 January, 2008 | | Blog: And the loser is... | | How did a record-breaking Scudetto winner not make the shortlist of top Serie A Coaches for 2006-07? Susy Campanale stands up for Roberto Mancini |  |  | | Now I know I have something of a reputation as an Inter-baiter – let’s be honest, it is entirely deserved and I find it quite amusing how easily the Nerazzurri supporters get riled up – but I am objective enough to see when a team deserves praise or insults. Quite frankly, I was astonished that Mancio wasn’t even among the three nominees for the Oscar del Calcio. It was a snub of sensational proportions.
This man took a club famous as the eternal losers of Italy to their first Scudetto on the field in over a decade with a record number of points, consecutive victories and just one defeat all term. He also brought them to the Coppa Italia Final for the third year running. A nomination is the very least he could have expected!
It comes in the week that Mancini accused the media of having an anti-Inter prejudice, but the trouble is that cannot possibly apply in this case. The Oscar del Calcio are the Italian PFA awards, voted for by players during the pre-season training camps. Unless reading the newspapers and watching television made them subconsciously turn against the Nerazzurri, this was a decision made entirely by peers and colleagues.
He must find that most insulting of all, that players all over the country consider his achievements to be less impressive than those of Carlo Ancelotti – who, admittedly, won the Champions League – Luciano Spalletti and Cesare Prandelli. It is a common complaint among neutrals that Inter’s football is effective and utilitarian compared to the champagne soccer of Roma and Fiorentina, teams who create dozens of scoring opportunities every week and waste about 80 per cent of them. The Beneamata are marksmen of the highest order, but disposing of victims this way is so brief, so cold, so very boring.
However, I doubt that is why the players of Serie A looked down on Mancini’s season. The fact Juventus were in Serie B and so many contenders were crippled by Calciopoli penalties also played a part, this must be evident to all. Some called it a foregone conclusion, as if Inter had been handed the 2007 Scudetto by the courts as well as the 2006 title stripped from Juventus.
And yet I find another reason why professional sportsmen consider Mancini to be less deserving of the award. Realistically, who could have failed in his position? He had a huge selection of players at his disposal, which even now in an injury crisis is able to call upon vast resources of talent. Squad rotation was never an issue, as he had practically two different teams for Serie A and Cup competition. As so many pundits, Coaches and players noted before this season had even kicked off: “It is Inter’s to lose.”
It is unfair on Mancio, though. As we have seen recently with the side reduced to 10 men against both Juventus and Udinese, they keep on going with a determination and unshakable belief that has rarely been witnessed in a Serie A outfit, let alone one famed for bottling it in May 2002. His arrogance has bled through to the players as mental strength and that is why they win in that style, that cold, calculating and oh so effective brand of football.
He was one of the purest talents in calcio history, but perhaps what players really won’t forgive him for is failing to bring those characteristics to his Inter side as well as his often troublesome personality.
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Don't worry Susy, the players who voted for these awards realise when a Coach leads a team full of multi-million dollar superstars to a trophy (and are expected to win it) like Jose Mourinho did for so many years with Chelsea compared to a Coach who forms a champion team. Such Coaches are simply a ‘guide’ who aid their Presidents in fulfilling a lifelong dream in becoming the champions. These type of teams like Chelsea and Inter feel unfulfilled when they win their championship because they are expected to win it and anything less would be a disappointment because of the millions they spend on players. Get some Italians into your side for once Mancini and you might be far more respected and acknowledged.
David, Highbury, South Australia
Dear Susy, I largely agree with what you have said once again. There is, however, one significant component you may have missed. Not unlike yourself I remain a tremendous Inter hater. As a Romanista, I have never liked Inter, but now it seems there is even more reason to eschew any appreciation for their accomplishments. More than any other team on the peninsula, Inter have based the bulk of their talent upon non-Italian players. With the exception of Toldo and Materazzi, I do not know if there are any other Italians that hit the field. This is not to say that I do not like their individual players (after all, I am a big Argentina fan), but it just seems that this is not Italian. Sure, Milan (another team I have trouble appreciating) has gone Brazilian and Juventus and even Roma have their international stars, but Inter seem to have really overdone it, and I think this may strike a negative chord in the individuals who are voting. Also, when you compare the big 3 in Italy to teams like Roma, who have salary caps, it takes a lot of credibility out of the significance of the Coach’s role. I do agree with you that Mancini, as much as I have my doubts about him, has done a great job, but I can only hope that Roma can surpass them by the end of the year.
Gio
I can’t help but disagree with you Susy. I think its fair to say that Mancini has world class players at his disposal. It is sad to say hardly any are Italian, which does absolutely nothing good for calcio. Spalletti, Ranieri, Prandelli and even Ancelotti have Italian depth in their squads. Not to mention Inter would be next to nothing without Ibrahimovic, and let me be frank, Cruz, Crespo and lost cause Adriano all together can’t fill his shoes or the void should he ever leave. Last season should not be in consideration for making the list. Juve were out of the top flight and the remaining big teams were all penalised.
Mancini has done a great job bringing attractive football (what he was so good at) to Inter and the peninsula. Just keep in mind that Inter didn’t gain their own momentum, they were pushed in the right direction in the wake of the scandal! To be a great Coach not only do you need to handle multiple egos, but promote your own youth academies. And lastly to be a great Coach you need win on a level playing field, and Juve are still in the rebuilding process after their mistakes. I say wait till next year when Inter, Juve, Roma, Milan and even Fiorentina are back to full strength. Next year will be a better test, and maybe if Mancini can finally get some cup success on the European level the voters might reconsider him! It seems that Inter do not have their priorities right. Buying does not necessarily mean winning.
Cameron Husty
Well said Susy, but can Mancini conquer Europe in same style as Ancelotti – oops I shouldn’t say that, might upset the Beneamata and their fickle tifosi.
Guy Sorce
Glad to hear you finally admit to your anti-Inter stance! I have to admit that even as a Sampdoria fan I've always thought it was a bit shocking and that you always took it too far. Was generally more like reading an article for Milan's Squadra Mia than an article from what was supposed to be an objective journalist! You're spot on here though, I mean as much as Inter have made Serie A a bit less interesting for this and the previous season, it can't be denied that they are just head and shoulders above the rest at the moment. Mancio deserves his praise and it’s an absolute disgrace that nobody is giving him credit. Look at that Inter squad... you're telling me some of the egos in there would be easy to handle? He's done a superb job, and credit to him for sending away a useless Adriano and letting the superb Cruz return to the limelight.
Simon L.
I am a big Juventus fan and have been since i was a kid. Well what can a say about this.............Mancini is a great Coach and maybe should have been in the list but the fact is, everything he has done has been destroyed the fact that Inter had been handed the 2007 Scudetto and Juve playing in Seria B and honestly there was no one to challenge them in last year’s title. However he should be nominated and deserved it. But let us see if they can win the title in 2008/2009 and so on because Juventus are back and Milan will too.........
Mohamoud
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