Roberto Mancini to be appointed Italy head coach, FIGC president announces

The Italian Football Federation has officially announced that Roberto Mancini will return as the head coach of the Italian national team. Federation president Giovanni Malago confirmed the appointment today, following a turbulent week for the organization. Mancini previously led Italy to a European Championship victory in 2021 before his departure in 2023 to coach in Saudi Arabia.

This decision follows the resignation of several key figures within the federation. The board appointed new leadership in June, but their tenure was cut short after a failed attempt to install Andrea Pirlo as head coach. Pirlo lost his candidacy after questions arose regarding his ties to a major betting operator. Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, who were involved in that process, subsequently stepped down from their roles.

Claudio Ranieri has been named as the replacement for Paolo Maldini in the technical director role. President Malago stated that he intends to work closely with Ranieri to stabilize the team’s direction moving forward. Mancini is scheduled to be unveiled to the public on Wednesday as the federation attempts to move past the recent internal conflict.

Despite his past success, the return of Mancini remains a polarizing topic within Italian football circles. Some high-profile figures have voiced concerns about the circumstances of his exit three years ago, when he left the post to secure a lucrative contract in the Middle East. Nevertheless, the federation has opted to bring back a familiar face to steer the national squad through its next competitive phase.