Roberto Mancini is close to returning as the head coach of the Italian national team for a second stint. According to renowned journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the veteran tactician currently leads the shortlist of candidates to take over the Azzurri in the coming period.
Mancini, who famously guided Italy to victory at UEFA Euro 2020, is currently managing the Qatari side Al Sadd. However, reports indicate he can comfortably part ways with the club by mutual agreement without facing any major obstacles.
Negotiation Details and the Financial Edge
Di Marzio revealed that negotiations between the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Mancini have been ongoing since last May. The experienced manager has already expressed his readiness to lead the new project for Italian football.
Although Antonio Conte is currently a free agent after leaving Napoli, and Massimiliano Allegri is also available following his departure from AC Milan, the FIGC is leaning heavily toward Mancini. The federation views him as a unifying choice who inspires greater confidence to steer the national team back on track.
Furthermore, financial constraints have heavily tipped the scales in Mancini’s favor. The maximum annual salary the FIGC can offer is €3 million. While Mancini is willing to accept these terms, both Conte and Allegri would likely demand much higher figures, which would force the federation to seek external sponsorship funding.
The Upcoming Presidential Elections
The managerial situation is expected to be officially resolved following the FIGC presidential elections scheduled over the next two weeks. The race for the presidency is highly competitive, featuring a fierce contest between Giovanni Malagò, the former president of the Italian National Olympic Committee, and Giancarlo Abete.
Mancini’s previous tenure with the Azzurri famously ended on a bitter note when Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, following a shocking playoff defeat against North Macedonia.
