Massimo became a goalkeeping coach after retiring in 1998, having followed in the footsteps of his father, who set up a FIFA recognised academy for the men between the posts.

It was Battara senior who first served Mancini as goalkeeping coach, when the current City boss was on his first managerial assignment at Fiorentina in 2001. When the call went out again, three years later at Inter Milan, it was Battara junior that answered.

The pair first became acquainted as young players at Bologna in the early eighties, and teamed up several years later at Sampdoria. Massimo was an important figure during Mancini's treble of Italian league titles between 2005 and 2008, and will have his hands full at Carrington thanks to the five 'keepers registered on City's books.