Italy have appointed Roberto Mancini as head coach for a second time, with Claudio Ranieri stepping in as technical director.
FIGC president Giovanni Malago confirmed the appointments on Tuesday after days of upheaval within Italian football. Both men now face the task of ending years of World Cup absences.
Mancini Returns After Chaotic Candidate Process
Malago announced the decision during a Federal Council meeting on Tuesday: “I believed that the best person to become head coach was Roberto Mancini,” he told reporters.
Mancini replaces Gennaro Gattuso, who resigned in April this year. Gattuso left after Italy lost their World Cup qualifying playoff final against Bosnia and Herzegovina. That defeat marked a third consecutive missed World Cup for the four-time champions.
Mancini previously managed Italy between 2018 and 2023, winning Euro 2020 along the way. He guided the Azzurri to a 37-match unbeaten run during that spell. Andrea Pirlo had earlier been tipped for the job before withdrawing his candidacy.
Pirlo faced heavy criticism over ties to a Russian sports-betting company. Pep Guardiola had also turned down the role after being the federation’s first choice. Antonio Conte remained available too, but Malago ultimately preferred Mancini for the post.
Maldini’s Exit Opens Door For Ranieri
Previous technical director Paolo Maldini resigned earlier this week alongside adviser Leonardo. Both men left after Pirlo’s appointment collapsed over his betting-firm connections. Maldini had reportedly threatened to resign again if Mancini got the coaching job. He had instead wanted Brazil-born former Italy midfielder Thiago Motta appointed instead.
Malago has now replaced Maldini with 74-year-old Claudio Ranieri. Ranieri famously led Leicester City (3.50) to their shock Premier League title in 2016. He will oversee technical operations and elite development across Italy’s national teams.
“I needed someone with whom I could share the decision on the coach,” Malago explained.
Giorgio Chiellini had earlier ruled himself out of replacing Maldini in that same role.
A Divisive Return Despite Past Success
Mancini’s reappointment has split opinion despite his earlier achievements with the national team. His abrupt exit from the Italy job in 2023 still frustrates senior FIGC figures. He left to take charge of Saudi Arabia during a difficult Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. That spell in Saudi Arabia lasted just 14 months before his departure.
Mancini most recently coached Qatari club Al-Sadd under a two-year contract signed last November. Former coach Fabio Capello questioned the decision to bring Mancini back so soon.
“What he did is, in my opinion, really bad,” Capello said of the 2023 exit.
Malago has defended his choice, citing a longstanding relationship between the pair. Both men reportedly belong to the same private sports club in Rome.
Immediate Focus Turns To Nations League Opener
Mancini’s first match in charge comes against Belgium (16.93) on 25 September. Italy’s Nations League group also features Turkey and France, both World Cup participants this year. Malago acknowledged the tough draw facing his new coach.
“The new coach will have two training sessions to prepare,” he said bluntly. He added that finishing fourth in that group would remain a realistic outcome.
Italy (33.86) have not reached a World Cup since 2014, their longest such gap. They have not won a knockout match at the tournament since lifting the trophy in 2006. Their sole major success since then came via a shootout win over England at Euro 2020.
Their following title defence ended in a last-16 exit against Switzerland in 2024. Mancini won three straight Serie A titles with Inter Milan between 2005 and 2008. He later led Manchester City to a dramatic first Premier League title in 2011-12.
Now he returns to Italian football hoping to end years of disappointment. Both Mancini and Ranieri will be formally unveiled at a press conference on Wednesday.
