Thursday 13 March, 2008

Roberto Mancini has decided to stay put, but the backlash over his attempted resignation begins and Press sources insist Jose Mourinho is waiting.

Mancio unexpectedly announced that he would be quitting San Siro at the end of the season following Inter’s Champions League defeat against Liverpool.

However, after meeting with President Massimo Moratti, the leaders’ Coach made a U-turn and stressed his desire to lead the Nerazzurri to glory.

Despite his change of heart, the whole episode seems to have compromised Mancini’s position and he can expect some strong criticism.

“His interview was out of place,” Inter legend Giacinto Facchetti’s son Gianfelice said on La7. “He put the whole club in trouble and especially the President.

“It was an inopportune declaration because the season still has a long time to run and his side had showed good character despite the defeat against Liverpool.”

Facchetti’s voice is likely to be the first of many raised against Mancini and many journalists believe that his position could be untenable.

The Corriere dello Sport reports that former Chelsea boss Mourinho is ready to succeed Mancio and there are widespread suggestions that Moratti will make the switch in the summer.

It also remains to be seen whether Mancini has lost the dressing room. After recent friction with Hernan Crespo, Patrick Vieira, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luis Figo, the Ancona-born tactician can ill afford any further hostility.