Mancini Returns to Coach Italy

Rome (AFP) – The Italian national team could finally get back on track after days of turmoil, with Roberto Mancini returning for a second stint as head coach, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malagò announced at a press conference on Tuesday.

Malagò also announced at the same press conference that Claudio Ranieri would take over as technical director, succeeding Paolo Maldini, who had threatened to resign if the task of coaching the four-time World Cup champions were given to Mancini or Antonio Conte.

Malagò said: “I saw that the person who should become the national team coach is Roberto Mancini.” He added: “Claudio Ranieri has also given his approval. We have a new coach and a new technical director.”

Mancini, 61, previously managed the Italian national team from 2018 to 2023, leading them to victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 championship. His main task now is to revive the national side, which has missed the last three World Cup tournaments.

During his first tenure with the two-time European champions, Mancini unexpectedly resigned in the summer of 2023 to take charge of the Saudi Arabia national team, at a time when Italy was struggling in the qualifiers for Euro 2024.

The former Manchester City and Inter Milan manager’s return to the national team job comes after Andrea Pirlo announced he was “no longer a candidate” to succeed Gennaro Gattuso, following a barrage of criticism over a sponsorship deal with a Russian betting company, as well as concerns about his relatively modest managerial resume.