Roberto Mancini returns as Italy coach for second spell after World Cup failure
Synopsis
Italy's coaching search ended in chaos — a Pirlo candidacy derailed by a Russian bookmaker controversy, two senior appointments that lasted just 16 days, and Guardiola turning the job down — before the FIGC circled back to the man who gave them their last major trophy. Mancini's return is both a pragmatic fix and an admission that Italy's post-Euro 2020 years have been a slow-motion crisis.
Key Takeaways
Roberto Mancini has been appointed Italy head coach for a second time, confirmed by FIGC president Giovanni Malago on 28 July .
Italy has now missed three consecutive FIFA World Cups , the latest after a 2-1 playoff loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March.
Andrea Pirlo's candidacy was dropped following objections over his ambassadorial role with Russian bookmaker Fonbet .
Paolo Maldini and Leonardo resigned as technical director and adviser respectively, just 16 days into their roles.
Claudio Ranieri has been named the new FIGC technical director.
Mancini's first matches back will be in the UEFA Nations League in September , against France , Belgium , and Türkiye .
Roberto Mancini has been appointed head coach of the Italian national football team for a second time, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Giovanni Malago confirmed on Tuesday, 28 July. The 61-year-old's return ends a turbulent search that saw multiple high-profile candidates considered and rejected over recent weeks.
Why Mancini Was Brought Back
Mancini's reappointment follows Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — the country's third consecutive absence from football's biggest tournament. The decisive blow came in a 2-1 playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March, which triggered the resignation of former FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and outgoing coach Gennaro Gattuso.
Mancini previously led the Azzurri from 2018 to 2023, steering them to the UEFA Euro 2020 title — Italy's first major international trophy in over a decade. He stepped down to take charge of Saudi Arabia's national team before being linked with a return to the Azzurri dugout.
A Chaotic Coaching Search
The hunt for Gattuso's successor proved unusually turbulent. After Malago was elected FIGC president in June, he appointed former AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini as technical director and former Brazil international Leonardo as an adviser to oversee recruitment. Italian media linked Antonio Conte, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, and Mancini with the vacancy at various stages.
Andrea Pirlo, the 47-year-old World Cup winner, reportedly emerged as a frontrunner after Guardiola declined the role. However, his candidacy collapsed amid serious objections over his commercial role as a global ambassador for Russian bookmaker Fonbet. The association drew criticism from FIGC officials and several Italian lawmakers. Breaking his silence on Monday, Pirlo said he had been informed the previous night that he was no longer under consideration. 'After learning last night that I am no longer the candidate to lead the Italian national team, I believe it is my duty to clarify a few points,' Pirlo wrote on Instagram.
The episode ended with Maldini and Leonardo both resigning, just 16 days after taking up their positions — an extraordinary turn that deepened the federation's reputational damage.
Ranieri Named Technical Director
Alongside Mancini's appointment, Malago confirmed that former Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has been named the federation's new technical director, replacing the short-lived Maldini in the role. Ranieri brings extensive club-level experience, including his celebrated Premier League title win with Leicester City.
What Comes Next for Italy
Mancini's first competitive assignments in his second stint will arrive in the UEFA Nations League in September, with Italy drawn in a group alongside France, Belgium, and Türkiye. The challenge is immediate and unforgiving — three consecutive World Cup absences have eroded Italy's standing in global football, and the Nations League will offer an early measure of whether the Mancini revival can restore momentum ahead of the next qualification cycle.
Point of View
An adviser, and a coaching frontrunner in a matter of weeks. Mancini's first tenure ended with him walking out for a Saudi paycheque; the goodwill from Euro 2020 has a shelf life. Italy's structural problems — an ageing talent pipeline, a Serie A that no longer produces world-class volume — will not be fixed by a familiar face in the dugout. The Nations League group alongside France and Belgium will be a reality check, and quickly.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Roberto Mancini been appointed Italy coach again?
Mancini has returned for a second spell as Italy head coach after the FIGC's search for a successor to Gennaro Gattuso ended in disarray. His previous tenure produced the UEFA Euro 2020 title, making him the most credible available candidate once other options — including Pep Guardiola and Andrea Pirlo — fell through.
Why did Italy fail to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Italy lost 2-1 to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a World Cup playoff in March, confirming their absence from a third consecutive FIFA World Cup. The defeat led to the resignations of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and head coach Gennaro Gattuso.
Why was Andrea Pirlo dropped from contention for the Italy job?
Andrea Pirlo's candidacy was withdrawn after objections arose over his role as a global ambassador for Russian bookmaker Fonbet. FIGC officials and Italian lawmakers raised concerns about the association, and Pirlo confirmed on Monday via Instagram that he had been informed the previous night he was no longer under consideration.
Who is Claudio Ranieri and what is his new role?
Claudio Ranieri is a veteran Italian coach best known for leading Leicester City to the Premier League title. He has been appointed as the FIGC's new technical director, replacing Paolo Maldini, who resigned after just 16 days in the position.
When will Mancini's second stint as Italy coach begin competitively?
Mancini's first competitive matches in his second spell will come in the UEFA Nations League in September, with Italy in a group alongside France, Belgium, and Türkiye.
