Roberto Mancini has been reinstated as the head coach of Italy’s national football team, marking his return after a four-year absence following his earlier dismissal.
Giovanni Malago, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), explained at a recent press conference that time was of the essence in securing the right managerial leadership. “For various reasons, we felt that Roberto Mancini is the best possible choice,” he stated.
Malago made the announcement on Tuesday, confirming Mancini’s appointment as the new coach while also revealing that Claudio Ranieri would take on the role of Italy’s technical director. This change comes just 16 days after the resignation of Paolo Maldini.
At 61, Mancini previously led the Azzurri to victory in the European Championship in 2021. However, his tenure took an unexpected turn when he resigned from his position in August 2023, shortly before accepting an offer to coach the Saudi national team.
Andrea Pirlo, the 2006 World Cup winner, emerged as a potential candidate for the position after prominent figures like Carlo Ancelotti and Josep Guardiola declined the opportunity. However, Pirlo’s association with Russian gambling company Fonbet drew significant criticism, leading to opposition against his appointment. Since July 2025, Pirlo has been managing UAE club Dubai United and was appointed as Fonbet’s global ambassador the previous October.
Malago Addresses Speculation Around Pirlo
Malago reflected on the situation surrounding Pirlo’s candidacy, stating, “There was a candidate identified—agreed upon in some respects—but I made the decision not to endorse this option. The facts are straightforward, and I regret that some are romanticizing the situation.”
Following the support shown towards Pirlo by Maldini and Leonardo, the pair resigned as Italy’s technical director and team advisor on Monday. Malago expressed surprise at learning about Pirlo’s connection with Fonbet, asserting that he had no prior knowledge of this collaboration.
He further clarified that there was no conflict among the parties involved, and despite the unforeseen developments, there was an understanding to part ways amicably. “Before we had even begun, I was disappointed. Like Maldini, I had a clear stance on this matter,” Malago added.
Mancini initially coached the Italian national team from 2018 to 2023, achieving a significant milestone by winning the European Championship, although he faced criticism for failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Post his international tenure, he managed both the Saudi Arabian national team and Al Sadd in Qatar.
Giorgio Chiellini, a former defender for Italy and a potential successor to Maldini, indicated at the press conference that he is content with his current role at Juventus. Since Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation following the Azzurri’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive men’s World Cup last April, Italy has been searching for a new manager.
The information presented in this report is compiled from sources including the PA and Associated Press.
