I’m son of a Premier League-winning manager, now I’m making my own way as sporting director with World Cup legend
ANDREA MANCINI, son of Premier League-winning manager Roberto Mancini, is forging his own career in Italy as Sampdoria’s sporting director.
Andrea, 31, came through Manchester City‘s academy during his father’s time as head coach – a period immortalised by their remarkable 2012 title triumph.
Mancini Jr never featured for the Sky Blues, before he went on to play for clubs such as Real Valladolid, DC United and New York Cosmos.
After hanging up his boots in 2017, he began working as a club chief at Fiorentina.
And in July, he took the post as sporting director of Sampdoria following their relegation to Serie B.
Andrea’s dad won Serie A with Sampdoria in 1991 and reached the European Cup final in 1992, before they lost 1-0 to Barcelona.
Their manager is now legendary midfielder Andrea Pirlo – who won the World Cup with Italy and played for Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus.
And Andrea insists the pair have a strong bond after just five months working together.
Speaking to Caught Offside, he said: “I have a good relationship with Pirlo. It’s a direct relationship. If he needs something he tells me.
“I think he has the potential to become a top manager. He only started coaching three years ago and he works very well on and off the pitch.
“The players respect him, and I think we can build a big project around him at Sampdoria.”
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Sampdoria sit 10th in the second tier – their first season outside Serie A since 2012.
Andrea faces a difficult challenge to arrest the club’s slide over recent years.
And he has revealed he often seeks advice from his dad – who has also coached the likes of Fiorentina, Lazio, Inter Milan and Italy, but is now managing the Saudi Arabia national side.
Andrea added: “I speak every day with my father. Sometimes I ask him for some advice.
“It helps to have a father who is also a manager. I think managers think in a very particular way and his experience and perspective is valuable.
“I am lucky because my relationship with Pirlo is very direct and fair, but it’s always useful to speak to my father as well.”