Italian · Jesi, Ancona, Italy · Born 27 November 1964Italian football player and manager who won Serie A with Sampdoria and Lazio as a player, then led Manchester City to their first Premier League title in 44 yea
Roberto Mancini was born on 27 November 1964 in Jesi, in Italy's Marche region, to Aldo, a carpenter, and Marianna Mancini, and was raised for part of his childhood in the mountain town of Roccadaspide in Campania. He made his professional debut for Bologna in 1980 at just 16, becoming one of the youngest players ever to appear in Serie A, before a move to Sampdoria in 1982 launched the most successful period of his playing career. At Sampdoria, Mancini formed a celebrated attacking partnership with Gianluca Vialli, helping the club to its only Serie A title in 1990-91 and a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup triumph the previous season, along with reaching the 1992 European Cup final. Renowned for his technical elegance, vision, and eye for the spectacular, Mancini scored 156 goals in 545 career appearances across 17 seasons with Bologna, Sampdoria, and Lazio, plus a brief loan spell at Leicester City to close out his playing days. At Lazio, Mancini added a Serie A title in 1999-2000 and another UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, extending a trophy-laden career that made him one of the most decorated Italian attacking players of his generation, despite relatively modest recognition at international level with 36 caps for Italy. Mancini transitioned seamlessly into management, first at Fiorentina and Lazio before a hugely successful spell at Inter Milan, winning three consecutive Serie A titles. He then took charge of Manchester City in 2009, guiding the club to its first Premier League title in 2012 in one of the most dramatic finishes in the competition's history. He later managed Galatasaray, returned to Inter Milan, and took charge of the Italian national team from 2018 to 2023, leading Italy to an unexpected European Championship title in 2021.
Leading Italy to Euro 2020 victory as manager
How They Played
Technical attacking midfielder with excellent vision and passing ability
Lasting Impact
Elegant player who became one of Italy's most successful modern managers
Career Honours
- Coppa Italia 3x (player)
- Premier League (Manchester City 2012)
- Euro 2020 (Italy manager)
- Champions League (Inter 1991)
- Serie A 1991 (Sampdoria)
- Cup Winners' Cup 1990 (Sampdoria)
- Serie A 2000 (Lazio)
- FA Cup 2011 (Manchester City)
- Nations League 2021 (Italy manager)
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bologna | 1980–1982 | — | 30 | 9 |
| Sampdoria | 1982–1997 | — | 424 | 132 |
| Lazio | 1997–2001 | — | 87 | 15 |
| Leicester City | 2001–2001 | loan | 4 | 0 |
 Italy | — | — | 36 | 4 |
Italian Athletes