Roberto Mancini has reached an agreement to return as head coach of the Italy national team for a second tenure, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, with official announcement from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) expected in the coming hours.
Italy Search for New Direction After World Cup Heartbreak
The search for a new manager began after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time, prompting the departure of Gennaro Gattuso. Newly elected FIGC president Giovanni Malagò appointed Paolo Maldini as technical director and Leonardo as advisor to rebuild the Azzurri project.
Maldini and Leonardo initially targeted Pep Guardiola as their top priority, traveling to Barcelona to present the project. However, the Spanish manager declined the offer in favor of taking a sabbatical. Inquiries were also made regarding Carlo Ancelotti, but no agreement was reached due to his commitments as head coach of the Brazil national team.
The managerial duo then approached former Juventus manager Thiago Motta, who turned down the proposal. Focus subsequently shifted to Andrea Pirlo, who reached a verbal agreement and stood on the verge of signing contracts.
Pirlo Deal Blocked Amid Controversy, Leading to Resignations
However, Malagò halted Pirlo’s appointment at the final moment due to the former midfielder’s ambassadorial role with Russian betting company Fonbet, which sparked political and institutional backlashes. Despite Pirlo defending his commercial partnership as entirely legal and non-political, he ultimately withdrew from consideration.
The collapse of Pirlo’s appointment caused major internal friction, leading to the resignations of both Maldini and Leonardo just 16 days into their tenures. This left Malagò in direct control of the managerial search, prompting him to reopen immediate negotiations with his initial preference, Roberto Mancini.
Mancini’s Track Record and Previous Achievements
Mancini previously managed Italy from May 2018 to August 2023, rebuilding the national side following their absence from the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He famously guided the Azzurri to UEFA Euro 2020 glory against England at Wembley, while establishing a world-record 37-match unbeaten streak and securing two third-place finishes in the UEFA Nations League.
Despite those triumphs, his first stint included the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He departed unexpectedly to take charge of the Saudi Arabia national team, where his campaign ended in the Round of 16 at the Asian Cup against South Korea, concluding his tenure in October 2024. He subsequently managed Qatari side Al-Sadd from November 2025 to June 2026, securing the league title.
Mancini began his managerial career at Fiorentina and Lazio before leading Inter Milan across two spells, winning three Serie A titles. He also ended Manchester City’s trophy drought by lifting the FA Cup followed by the iconic Premier League title in 2012, alongside stints at Galatasaray and Zenit St. Petersburg. He now returns to face one of the most demanding tasks of his career: steering Italian football out of its deep crisis.
