Roberto Mancini has returned as Italy national team manager, just three years after resigning to manage Saudi Arabia. The Italian Football Federation appointed Mancini on Tuesday following Andrea Pirlo’s blocked hiring. Claudio Ranieri joins as technical director after Paolo Maldini stepped down from the role.
The Return of Roberto Mancini and the Italian Football Federation’s Shifting Plans
Almost exactly three years after his sudden departure for Saudi Arabia, Roberto Mancini has once again been tasked with revitalizing an Italy team in crisis. Italian soccer federation president Giovanni Malagò announced the appointment on Tuesday, moving swiftly to stabilize the national team setup after weeks of executive turbulence. Malagò added that Claudio Ranieri will become the new technical director after Paolo Maldini stepped down the previous day – just 16 days after being appointed. 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. There will be a press conference tomorrow with both Claudio Ranieri and Roberto Mancini.
Mancini previously managed the Azzurri from 2018 until August 2023, steering the squad to a world-record 37-match unbeaten run and claiming the Euro 2020 title by defeating England in a penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium. Despite that historic triumph, his tenure also included missing out on the 2022 World Cup following a playoff defeat to North Macedonia. He resigned unexpectedly in August 2023, taking over Saudi Arabia’s national team two weeks later before leaving that post and later coaching Qatari side Al Sadd until June. It is clear that all the necessary assessments have been made,
Malagò said when asked about Mancini’s sudden departure three years ago. I certainly took it into consideration; I am aware of his recent apologies, and obviously, everyone has made the appropriate evaluations.
The 61-year-old Mancini led the Azzurri to the European Championship title in 2021 but shockingly resigned as Italy coach in August 2023, taking over Saudi Arabia’s national team two weeks later. Mancini’s first spell as Italy coach came immediately after the team missed out on the 2018 World Cup, having lost to Sweden in a qualifying playoff. He revived the Azzurri by adding flair and youth to the squad. Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti were both approached by the FIGC about the Italy job before Pirlo.
Giovanni Malagò, Italian Football Federation President
How Andrea Pirlo’s Blocked Appointment Sparked Executive Departures
Mancini’s return comes on the heels of a turbulent 72 hours within the Italian Football Federation. The executive team appointed by Malagò following his election in June collapsed after their choice of Andrea Pirlo as head coach failed to win approval due to the former midfielder’s commercial ties to a Russian betting firm. The former FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and his adviser, Leonardo, resigned from their roles on Monday after Andrea Pirlo’s appointment as head coach was blocked because of the former midfielder’s ties to a Russian betting firm. Pep Guardiola was the association’s first choice but turned down the job last month.
Pirlo learned on Sunday night that he was no longer a candidate for the vacancy. The decision prompted the immediate resignations of newly appointed technical director Paolo Maldini and strategic adviser Leonardo after just 17 days in office. Malagò stressed that the departures occurred by mutual consent during a calm discussion. Both Maldini and his adviser, Leonardo, quit just 16 days after the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) made the official announcement of their appointment.
Giovanni Malagò, Italian Football Federation President
Before settling on Pirlo, the federation pursued other high-profile names. Pep Guardiola was the association’s first choice but turned down the job last month.
Claudio Ranieri Joins as Technical Director to Oversee Elite Development
To fill the void left by Maldini’s departure, Claudio Ranieri has been named technical director. The 74-year-old manager, who famously guided Leicester City to the Premier League title in 2016, will oversee technical operations and elite football development across the national team structures. Ranieri replaces Maldini.
Ranieri previously turned down an offer to coach the Azzurri himself, a rejection that led to Gennaro Gattuso’s appointment earlier in the cycle. Malagò noted that securing Ranieri’s partnership was essential for moving forward with the coaching appointment. To close the circle, I thought it was right to identify someone with whom I could share the decision to become the new coach,
he added.
Giovanni Malagò, Italian Football Federation President
World Cup Qualification Failures and Immediate UEFA Nations League Demands
The leadership overhaul addresses a deep sporting crisis. The Italian national team is in crisis after failing for a third straight time to qualify for the World Cup, prompting the resignations of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso in April, shortly after the playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mancini replaces Gennaro Gattuso, who left the post in April after Italy failed to qualify for a third World Cup in succession. 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. Under-21 manager Silvio Baldini had taken over on a temporary basis following Gattuso’s departure.
Luciano Spalletti, who initially replaced Mancini in 2023, was dismissed two years later following an opening World Cup qualifying loss to Norway. Now, Mancini inherits a squad with very little preparation time before competitive fixtures resume.
Italy start their Nations League campaign on 25 September at home to Belgium before travelling to face Turkey three days later.
