Jesi (Ancona), July 28, 2026 – Alea iacta est ….. No Rubicon, however, only the scene changes, we return to the old Esino river. At 2 p.m. yesterday the most awaited decision (by the fellow citizens) entrusted the Jesi native Roberto Mancini with the mandate (the second in his career) as head coach of the Italian national football team.
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Bruno Sassaroli, a friend of Mancio since childhood, his heartfelt plea in recent days spread by Ansa hit the mark: in America it would have been called ‘the Italian people against Roberto Mancini …. case won, studied law in youth?
“But no – the childhood friend of the new head coach modestly says – beyond the friendship that binds us, I believe it was the right decision to make, football history says so, who better than Roberto when it came to rebuilding realities starved of victories like Inter after Mourinho or Manchester City of those times. Now Roberto will have aimed at the rifle of the critics and it is a pity because projects like this must be carried forward with serenity and awareness. Fortunately, he can count on the collaboration of a serious person like Claudio Ranieri.”
Promising another mural (possibly – less ‘painful’ than the original, the mocking phrases still burn after the defeat against Macedonia) directly from the author, the Jesi artist Federico Zenobi created the day after the European Championship victory on the wall of the house in via Del Prato where the new head coach was born.
“The idea came from a photo provided by the family, in agreement with the municipal administration at the time we decided to honor the success of our fellow citizen this way – recalls Zenobi – later it was defaced with not always ‘polite’ writings – he smiles – the first time the neighborhood residents themselves took care of erasing them. Want to know when we will make another? I am not an expert, it wouldn’t be bad to celebrate a world victory. Qualification? I take it for granted!”
From football, via del Prato a few hundred meters from the Circolo Cittadino, to tennis the step is short.
“As a Jesi native even if adopted, it can only please me – Alessandro Carbonari for three decades coach and president of the tennis club – with Mancini we won the European title, no wonder if a great world title also came.”
Franco Centanni, historic president of Borgo Minonna, a well-deserved football club at the heart of the populous neighborhood on the city’s outskirts, has no doubts.
“The real problem of the National Team is not the head coach but the players. For too long there has been no real planning, in his first mandate Mancini tried, let’s hope he continues on that path, surely it would be nice to manage to imitate Spain, immediately winning thanks to the quality of its youth sector and led by its coach.”
For technical and human qualities Marco Strappini was a player/coach who left his mark in Jesi.
“Difficult to analyze what happened in recent weeks – reads his post – surely ours is not a movement that moves united and compact, Mancini will bring balance among all the components on and off the field …”.
Reached by phone by Ansa, the head coach’s mother gives vent to maternal feelings. “He will face this challenge with the usual seriousness ….my son returns close to us, I am happy after a terrible year when war was raging down there…. Roberto is a serious person, in Marche he is very appreciated for what he says and what he can do, he definitely does it.” According to the head coach’s mother “it will be crucial to be able to count on the right people to rediscover Italian talents” recalling Roberto’s childhood when as a boy playing on the field he always gave his all followed by his father Aldo, extraordinary with him.” More as a mother than a fan long used to her son’s successes, the final greeting from Mrs. Marianna. “He will face this challenge with the usual seriousness. We hope another great triumph can come, I would really like that.”
