This Week in Managerial Dietary Advice

Mancini Prays That His Team Like Pinot Noir Over Merlot

When Fabio Capello was appointed as England manager, one of the first things he did was address the diet of his players. The likes of Wayne Rooney, gorging on french fries and snacks, were gently nudged towards such fineries as Mediterranean salad with olive oil, and now Roberto Mancini is eyeing similar changes at the Eastlands.

Talking to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Mancini revealed his plans: “I will calmly make corrections to what they eat before matches. You need more chicken, pizza, carbohydrates. As well as a glass of wine, which isn’t being served.” I’m not sure if he realizes how Craig Bellamy reacts to the vino (see: golf club karaoke fun with John Arne Riise), but the Italian reckons that a nice glass of pinot noir can improve performance. Sorry, Lucozade Sport, but you’re no longer needed.

Capello and Mancini are not the only Italians to try such things on their English teams — Gianluca Vialli handed out glasses of champagne to his Chelsea team in the dressing room before his first game as manager, a 3-1 win over Arsenal — but I’m curious to see how it works at Manchester City. With all the personnel shuffling and tinkering to the team, maybe a quality bottle of red will settle the side, not that they even need it — four wins in four for ol’ scarf-sporting Roberto already and they’re playing well to boot.