Materazzi: Mancini would be key solution for Italy; Mourinho will challenge Barcelona at Real Madrid

Marco Materazzi, a member of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning squad, believes Mancini's return as Italy's national team coach "would be a key solution," and stated that Mourinho, as Real Madrid's new coach, will "challenge Barcelona."

Materazzi, a former Inter Milan and Italy defender, discussed Mancini's possible return to the Italian managerial position in an interview with Corriere dello Sport.

Materazzi: Mancini is Italy's "key solution"

The former defender, who played under Mancini at Inter Milan, said: "He left the national team a few years ago. If he is interested in returning and taking on this important responsibility, he would be a crucial part of the solution."

Another of Materazzi's former coaches, Mourinho, became a focal point this summer after taking over Real Madrid's coaching position for the second time.

Materazzi said: "He is the right person for Real Madrid. Perhaps his playing style is not aesthetically pleasing, but it is effective. He will disrupt the existing balance and challenge Barcelona."

Inter Milan's city rivals, AC Milan, failed to qualify for the Champions League last season and are still negotiating the appointment of a new football director after dismissing Giorgio Furlani, Tare, and Geoffrey Moncada at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Materazzi previously joked that RedBird Capital advisor Ibrahimović was "the greatest Inter fan of all time." When asked how to solve the Rossoneri's problems, he replied: "Even if I had a solution, as an Inter fan, I wouldn't say."