Roberto Mancini has not held a managerial position since leaving his role with Saudi Arabia in October last year, but the former Inter Milan, Manchester City and Italy boss is set to play a role in attempting to rescue one of his former clubs from relegation.
Sampdoria are in dire straits in Serie B. Following relegation from Serie A in 2023 and a seventh-placed finish in the second tier last season, Samp sit third-bottom with six games to play.
They are level on points with Reggiana and two behind Brescia, with those two sides occupying the relegation play-off spots. Samp are three points adrift of 15th-placed Cittadella and guaranteed safety.
It is a far cry from the days when Samp were a force in Italian and European football, winning the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1990 before claiming the Scudetto in 1991 and then losing to Barcelona in the European Cup final in 1992.
Samp have turned to two players from those happier times, appointing Alberico Evani as their new coach and Attilio Lombardo as his assistant.
Evani joined Samp as a player in 1993 and helped them to Coppa Italia triumph in 1994, with Lombardo having experienced the prior domestic and European glories alongside Mancini.
Lombardo worked under Mancini during his spells with City and with Galatasaray, and both he and Evani were part of Mancini’s staff when Italy won Euro 2020.
And, while he won’t have an official role, Mancini will be offering his insight to help the pair try to save a famous name in Italian football from dropping into the third tier.
Club president Matteo Manfredi told Sky Sport: “Roberto is by our side and will certainly help us get back on track.
“His role isn’t formal; friends shouldn’t always be present, but his presence will certainly be constant and will be felt.”
Samp have not won since February 8 and have had four coaches since August. They host Cittadella in a crucial game on Saturday.
