Former Zenit Saint Petersburg president Sergei Fursenko has shed light on the club's decision to part ways with Italian manager Roberto Mancini back in 2018. In a recent interview for the documentary series 'Zenit Forever,' Fursenko detailed the factors that led to the coaching change.
Fursenko pointed to Mancini's tactical decisions as a primary concern. He noted that the coach frequently placed inexperienced players in the most demanding and critical positions on the pitch. This approach, according to Fursenko, contributed significantly to the team's underperformance, ultimately seeing them slide to a disappointing fifth-place finish in the league.
Another major factor that complicated the situation was the passing of Anatoliy Sarsaniya. Sarsaniya had played a crucial role as a bridge between the club's management, the foreign players, and Mancini's coaching staff. His absence created a significant void in communication and coordination.
With Sarsaniya gone, the club found itself in a difficult position. Fursenko explained that the only apparent way forward was to acquiesce to all of Mancini's demands and requests. However, he expressed doubt that this strategy of total compliance would have necessarily led to a positive sporting outcome for the club.
The combination of these elements—questionable squad management, a decline in league standing, and the loss of a key staff member who facilitated internal harmony—ultimately made the separation from Mancini the chosen path for Zenit.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.