Roberto Mancini returns as Italy head coach for a second term, replacing Gennaro Gattuso following a tumultuous federation search. Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malagò announced the appointment on Tuesday alongside Claudio Ranieri as technical director, after Andrea Pirlo withdrew over ties to a Russian betting firm.
Roberto Mancini Returns to Lead Italy Amid Federation Upheaval
Italy has turned back to Roberto Mancini to rescue the national team after missing out on a third consecutive World Cup appearance. Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malagò confirmed the appointment at a Tuesday news conference, marking Mancini’s return to the bench just three years after his sudden departure for Saudi Arabia in August 2023.
Mancini succeeds Gennaro Gattuso, whose contract was terminated by mutual consent in April following a playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 61-year-old manager inherits an Azzurri squad struggling for momentum on the international stage, having failed to reach football’s marquee tournament since Brazil 2014.
Time was running out … I believed the person who should become the new coach of Italy is Roberto Mancini, for a whole list of reasons,
Malagò said.
Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti were both approached by the FIGC about the Italy job before Pirlo. Mancini previously managed Italy from 2018 until 2023 and won Euro 2020 by beating England in the final at Wembley. He led the Azzurri to a world record 37-game unbeaten run, but failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after losing to North Macedonia in a play-off, and resigned in August 2023. Under-21 manager and other figures watched as another World Cup play-off failure for Italy earlier this year meant they were absent from this summer’s tournament and spelled the end of Gattuso’s tenure, with his contract terminated in April by mutual consent. Despite their big stage successes, Italy have not featured at a World Cup finals since 2014. Mancini took over as Saudi Arabia manager following his exit from the Italy job in 2023, and then went on to manage Qatari side Al-Sadd, but recently departed after just a brief stint.
Andrea Pirlo Controversy and High-Profile Resignations at the FIGC
Mancini’s reinstatement follows a turbulent 72 hours for Italian football administration. Andrea Pirlo had emerged as the leading candidate to take charge after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola both turned down approaches from the federation.
However, Pirlo’s potential hiring triggered intense political opposition over his ties to a Russian betting firm. Facing mounting criticism, Pirlo withdrew his candidacy on Monday. The fallout prompted newly appointed technical director Paolo Maldini to resign after just 16 days in office, having been appointed just a day prior.
Today we have a new coach and a new technical director,
Malagò told reporters, announcing another press conference with Mancini and Ranieri on Wednesday.
Technical director Paolo Maldini reportedly stepped down the previous day.
Claudio Ranieri Steps in as Federation Director
To fill the leadership void, the federation tapped Claudio Ranieri as the new technical director. Ranieri will take over as technical director after Paolo Maldini stepped down.
Ranieri and Mancini will appear together at a formal press conference to outline their plans for the national setup. While Mancini’s previous exit to manage Saudi Arabia under the pretext of a disagreement with Malagò’s predecessor Gabriele Gravina over the national team set-up left lingering friction, his supporters point to his historic Euro 2020 triumph—where Italy beat England in a penalty shootout victory at Wembley—as proof of his pedigree in securing Italy’s first European Championship in more than half a century in 2021. Mancini previously managed Italy for 58 matches during his first spell.
Upcoming Fixtures and the Road Ahead
Mancini’s immediate focus shifts to competitive action following his appointment at a meeting of the FIGC board on Tuesday. The 61-year-old manager returns to the job with Italy having failed to qualify for a FIFA World Cup since 2014, and is tasked with revitalising the Azzurri who have missed out on the last three World Cups.
The broader mandate for the new coaching staff involves stabilizing the squad and rebuilding the national team following Gennaro Gattuso’s departure.
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