After the Stumbling Block in appointing Perlo... Mancini Returns to Lead the Italian National Team

- Euro 2020 champion to take charge of the Azzurri for the second time

Days after controversy surrounded the attempt to appoint Andrea Pirlo as coach of the Italian national team, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) finalized its decision to reappoint Roberto Mancini to lead the Azzurri for the second time in his career.

Italian Football Federation President Giovanni Malagò confirmed during a board meeting on Tuesday that Mancini would take charge of the national team, according to the Italian news agency ANSA.

Mancini previously managed the Italian national team between 2018 and 2023, leading them to victory in the UEFA European Championship (Euro 2020). However, he failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup before leaving his post in 2023 to coach the Saudi national team, and later took charge of Qatari club Al Sadd, after which he became unemployed.

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Mancini’s return comes amid confusion within the Italian Football Federation following the stalled appointment of Pirlo as head coach.

Pirlo, a former star of Milan and Juventus and a member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad, was the leading candidate for the role after Spanish manager Pep Guardiola declined the offer last week. However, Pirlo’s association with a Russian betting company sparked widespread controversy, leading the federation president to reject the appointment, according to reports.

Sky Sports reported that these developments prompted Italian Football Federation technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo to resign less than three weeks after assuming their positions, in protest against the decision to cancel Pirlo’s appointment.