Video: Mancini arrives at Sampdoria but clarifies non-official role – ‘I’m a fan first’ | OneFootball

Former Italy national team head coach Roberto Mancini visited Sampdoria’s training ground on Wednesday, but has clarified that he does not have an official role with the Serie B outfit, that he is a ‘fan first’ and that he is still on the lookout for new opportunities as a head coach.

Earlier in the week, Sampdoria confirmed that Leonardo Semplici had been sacked, and that former Italy national team assistants and former players Alberico Evani and Attillio Lombardo had replaced him as head coach and deputy respectively.

Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Italy interacts with Alberigo Evani, Assistant Coach of Italy during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between Italy and Austria at Wembley Stadium at Wembley Stadium on June 26, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Tallis – Pool/Getty Images)

Andrea Mancini, Roberto’s son, has also returned to Sampdoria as sporting director, while reports claim that the former CT will act as an unofficial advisor to owner Matteo Mandredi.

Sampdoria are currently in the midst of a relegation scrap in Serie B and are at risk of a second relegation in three years, with the dormant giants currently in 18th place on 32 points with six games of the 2024-25 season remaining.

Watch: Mancini arrives at Sampdoria

Though Mancini’s role with Sampdoria is unofficial, he was filmed arriving at the club’s training ground on Wednesday, and was later spotted having discussions with his friends and former colleagues, who now make up the Sampdoria backroom staff.

While there is an obvious connection between Mancini and the new Sampdoria staff, not ignoring his 15-year playing career in Marassi, he has released a brief statement online clarifying that he is not currently employed by the Serie B side.

“I am denying the information that has come out in recent days regarding my roles as a consultant, advisor or head of performance at Sampdoria,” Mancini wrote in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

“I am a fan first, and I hope they can solve their problems. I hope to return to my job as a head coach as soon as possible.”