When Neco Williams mishit a crossfield pass during Wales’ game against Italy he cannot have appreciated that he was about to become the warm-up act to the moment of the Euros so far. 

The ball drifted out of play towards the Italian manager Roberto Mancini, who was standing in his technical area in a crisp white shirt, Italian FA tie and smartly tailored black trousers. As it headed in his direction, however, the former Manchester City boss took no heed of the threat to his attire. Instead, he took half a pace backwards before attempting one of the toughest technical skills in the game: the overhead back-heeled flick. He didn’t properly connect, the ball spun off his shiny black loafer and skimmed away off his back. But that didn’t matter. He did not for a moment flinch, did not look remotely embarrassed. He remained ineffably cool.

Of all those on the touchline this tournament, Mancini is proving way out ahead as the man to watch. While Germany’s Joachim Low insists members of his coaching team all wear a uniform of tight-fitting shiny black t-shirts, which give them the appearance of a stag party on a visit to a specialist Soho club, Mancini and his crew look simply immaculate. Dressed in matching grey blazers, adorned with the crest of the Italian FA, they look dignified, modest, appropriately attired, the sartorial opposite of the Liverpool players’ cream suits ahead of the 1996 FA Cup final. And even when the temperature soared in Rome on Sunday, Mancini retained his sense of style, conducting his post-match media duties with his jacket suavely draped over his shoulder.

This is a manager who knows how to dress. He has long been regular paparazzi fodder, snapped most summers strolling along St Tropez beach in low slung linen shorts, his physique displaying absolutely no apparent deterioration since his playing days. But the thing about him is this: there is substance behind the style. And how the Italians love him for it.

He took over as manager in 2018, when Italy’s team was at its lowest ebb. He replaced Gian Piero Ventura, who was sacked after refusing to resign following failure to qualify for the Russian World Cup. It was a debacle described by the newspaper Corriere Dello Sport as “apocalyptic”. As a description it wasn’t far wrong. For the side with four stars embroidered on their shirts not to make the finals had seismic repercussions on the national mood.

But Mancini has restored pride. Unlike most Italian managers who are fixated on experience, he has given youth a chance. Building on the base of Marco Veratti, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, he has awarded debuts to 35 players. And, while remaining true to the traditions of defensive solidity, he has added a progressive, attacking spirit to the side. This is an Italian team playing with flair, panache, elan. A perfect reflection of their manager.

The result is obvious: 30 games unbeaten, with their last 11 all won without conceding a goal.

And there is more to his leadership than simply looking immaculate: this is a manager in tune with his players’ ambitions. In the 89th minute of the game against Wales, he substituted his goalkeeper, Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, and brought on Salvatore Sirigu of PSG. It seemed a pointless exercise. Until you learned that Mancini had spent the entire Italia 90 World Cup on the bench, without experiencing a moment’s action. He didn’t want any of his squad to carry the same sense of regret and disappointment he has ever since. Thus far in the tournament, 25 of his 26 players have had game time. Only the third-choice keeper, Napoli’s Alex Meret, has failed to see action. That is what you call man management.

Indeed, fans of Everton, still mourning the departure of Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid, must be watching this all unfold thinking there on the touchline in Rome is the ready-made Italian replacement for their lost leader. One thing is for sure: he would look mighty fine in a royal blue blazer, attempting to back-flick a misplaced pass.