Roberto Mancini Agrees to Return as Italy Head Coach
Roberto Mancini has agreed to become the new head coach of the Italy national team, Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malagò has informed a federation council meeting.
The 61-year-old, who guided the Azzurri to the Euro 2020 title, is set to return nearly three years after resigning from the same role. The agreement brings a swift end to a turbulent coaching search that followed Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup.
Italy missed the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada after a playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina under then-coach Gennaro Gattuso, who stepped down in April. The failure triggered widespread resignations, including those of former FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and national team delegation head Gianluigi Buffon.
New leadership under Malagò, elected earlier this year, sought a major reset. In mid-July the federation appointed Paolo Maldini as technical director, with Brazilian former player Leonardo as his adviser. Their tenure lasted just 16 days. Maldini and Leonardo had pushed for Andrea Pirlo after approaches to Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti were rejected. Guardiola declined for personal reasons, while Ancelotti remained committed to Brazil.
Pirlo, currently coach of Dubai’s United FC, had been on the brink of appointment. Negotiations advanced to the point of signature preparations. However, scrutiny of his role as a global ambassador for the Russian betting company Fonbet, held since October 2025, sparked political concerns in Italy. Malagò ordered a review of the contracts and ultimately halted the deal, citing issues of appropriateness. Pirlo publicly confirmed he was no longer a candidate.
The rejection of Pirlo prompted Maldini and Leonardo to resign on Monday. Malagò then moved quickly to appoint Mancini. Sky Sport Italia and other outlets had identified the former Manchester City and Inter Milan manager as the frontrunner once Pirlo was sidelined. Antonio Conte was also mentioned as a possible alternative, though no direct contact had been reported.
Mancini’s previous spell in charge of Italy, from May 2018 to August 2023, remains his defining achievement at international level. He inherited a side that had failed to reach the 2018 World Cup and transformed it into European champions in 2021.
Subsequent struggles, including another World Cup playoff exit in 2022, preceded his departure for a role with Saudi Arabia. That stint ended in October 2024. He later took charge of Qatari club Al-Sadd in November 2025, winning the league title before mutually parting ways in June 2026.
Federation sources indicate the new project aims to rebuild for the 2030 World Cup cycle. An official announcement and formal presentation are expected in the coming days.
