Alessandro Faiolhe Amantino, more commonly known as Mancini, is a Brazilian former professional footballer, who played as a winger and most recently manager of Foggia. During his prime with Italian club A.S. Roma, Mancini was famed for his dribbling skills and use of feints, especially his step-overs. His favoured position was as right or left winger, although he was also capable of playing as a second striker or as an attacking midfielder. At international level, he made nine appearances for Brazil between 2004 and 2008, and was a member of the squad that won the 2004 Copa América.
Club career
Early career
Regarded as a promising talent, Mancini began his career in his homeland of Brazil with his hometown club, Atlético Mineiro, where he remained from 1999 to 2002. During that time he had two loan spells, at Portuguesa and at São Caetanoin 2001.
Venezia
He was signed by Serie B side AC Venezia in January 2003. During that time he struggled to adapt to Italian football, and was criticised by the Venezia manager for his errors, and for his habit of controlling the ball with the outside of his foot, which in Italy is considered unconventional. Mancini only made 13 appearances for Venezia that season. In the summer of 2003 he was signed by A.S. Roma for nominal fees totalling €1,000.
Roma
Having lost Cafu, Roma needed a replacement at right-back, but with his early performances in Italy being far from convincing, many Roma fans were sceptical about his ability. However, their then-manager Fabio Capello gave the Brazilian a chance, and Mancini went on to complete a consistent first season in Serie A, the highlight being a backheel flick from a set piece in the Derby della Capitale against S.S. Lazio. In the 2005–06 season, Mancini began to find his top form, once again becoming a key player for the Roma side. Following the Calciopoli scandal, Roma qualified for the UEFA Champions League, giving Mancini the chance to play at the highest level of club football. In the last 16 of the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League, Mancini scored a goal against Lyon after beating their defender Anthony Réveillère with several stepovers before firing the ball high into the net. That same year, Mancini also celebrated his first silverware since arriving in Italy as Roma won the Coppa Italia, beating Internazionale in the final. In the 2007–08 season, Mancini scored eight league goals as Roma reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League and finished as runners-up in Serie A for the second year running. He did not have the best of seasons though, in what would prove to be his last in Rome.
Internazionale
After the appointment of José Mourinho, Mancini was signed by Internazionale for €13 million, along with Ricardo Quaresma and Sulley Muntari in his maiden season.. However, he failed to become a first team regular due to his lack of consistency.
Milan
On 1 February 2010, he moved to city rivals A.C. Milan, on loan for the remainder of the 2009–10 season, with an option for them to acquire half of the player's rights at the end of the loan spell. He made his debut for Milan in a scoreless draw against Bologna.
Atlético Mineiro
He returned to Atlético Mineiro on 5 January 2011, signing a three-year contract.
Bahia
In June 2012, Mancini joined Esporte Clube Bahia. He played for the team until the end of the year.
After spending 2013 unsigned with any team, in January 2014 Mancini signed with Villa Nova for their Minas Gerais state league campaign. He scored seven goals, making him the top-scorer of the league.
At the end of the state league season, Mancini signed a contract with Série B team América until December 2014.
Return to Villa Nova
In January 2016, the Villa Nova-MG agreed to hire Mancini for the next season.
Manager career
Foggia
On 7 August 2019, Mancini signed his first manager contract with Serie D club Foggia. His short-lived experience as Foggia boss ended 2 September 2019, as he resigned after the first league game, a 0–1 away loss to Fasano.
He was under investigation in 2011 for rape accused by a Brazilian woman, which happened in December 2010 after a party held by Ronaldinho. On 28 November 2011, he was jailed for 2 years and 8 months after being found guilty of rape by the court of Milan.
