Roberto Mancini GalatasarayWhen you lead a squad to their first title in over forty years, push a team of players to an FA Cup and a Community Shield, and make the performance look like money was well spent, then you typically can have any job you want in world football. Add in three Serie A titles, four Copa Italias, and two SuperCoppas, and you get a very sought after manager. However, for Roberto Mancini, the job offers after he was sent packing from Manchester City were few and far in between.

Even as the seasons started across Europe, Mancini was still jobless. Sure, the amount of money he earned at City could have kept him comfortable for the rest of his life, but any top-tier manager will always be moments away from another high level gig.

Enter Galatasaray.

The Turkish club has become even more high profile in the past few years with two straight Turkish Super Lig titles, big signings in the transfer window, and serious attempts to go deep into the Champions League. However, they currently find themselves sitting in tenth place after six fixtures with only seven points accrued. A team with Didier Drogba, Wesley Sneijder, Fernando Muslera, and Emmanuel Eboue (along with countless Turkish stars) should be walking through this league and able to focus serious talent into the Champions League. But, as previously stated, Gala were struggling and they are turning to Mancini for help.

Can the Italian turn the tide?

Mancini has handled clubs in strife and he has handled clubs in success and excess. Galatasaray have the ability to rise back to the top and they definitely have the capability to compete at any level. Mancini also will be glad that he only has a limited number of egos to deal with at his new club since his time at Mancini would have involved dealing with a full squad of international level talent. Knowing the other talented teams in the Super Lig, we should know how Mancini is doing by the new year. If he is able to get them into the top four as soon as possible, he might be able to springboard the club back to their former heights. However, if Mancini falters here, it could seriously diminish his glow as a manager.

It amazes me that Mancini went this long on the job market before being snapped up. I personally felt that he was a better choice for PSG or Real Madrid than the picks that they finally made. Even though Ancelotti is amazing, Mancini would be an easy throwaway for Madrid and he might be able to actually turn things around. If he is able to turn the tide in Turkey, he might have set himself up to be the first name at the top of the list for any big club that is searching for a manager next season.

 

 

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