Mancini’s Extension Not a Foregone Conclusion, Or: I Smell Mourinho!

By: Martha | January 15th, 2007

Contemplative Mancini Inter’s Massimo Moratti has spent the last few weeks assuring the media that coach Roberto Mancini’s “destiny is to remain with [Inter] for a very, very long time.” According to Moratti, the fact that Mancio has yet to sign a contract is not an issue: “It seems obvious to me that we shall go on with Mancini. It’s an agreement we just have to write down. Then in the case that he wins the Scudetto, there’s the clause of the automatic renewal. But even if it does not occur, he has nothing to worry about.” In other words, the two men have such a strong understanding that all that remains is a friendly luncheon, over which they’ll jot down some conditions and sign a new contract.

From Mancini’s point of view, however, things are not quite so simple. Though he did describe his relationship with Moratti as one of “total serenity,” he also made it explicitly clear today that there is work to be done before he agrees to stay at Inter, telling the press several times that the contract discussion ahead “is absolutely not a formality.” Not only that, but he refused to speak in more detail out of fear that his words would be misinterpreted. Um, damn. I don’t know about you, but to me this sounds a lot like a guy at least considering other options — much like a certain unsettled Portuguese, actually.

In Italy, rumors are afoot that Mancini might head to Chelsea this summer in search of a new challenge. (Well, either him or Juve’s Didier Deschamps.) In England, meanwhile, the media are laying odds on Mourinho’s likely destination, assuming he’s done at Chelsea. According to The Guardian, The Special One is mostly likely to land at Real Madrid (a gig that clearly appeals to his ego), with Inter and Juve the runners up.