Italy has reappointed Roberto Mancini as the national team manager, marking his return to the role four years after his previous dismissal.
“Time was of the essence, and I believed Roberto Mancini was the ideal candidate for this managerial position for numerous reasons,” stated Giovanni Malagò, president of Italy’s Football Federation (FIGC), during a news conference. “He is undoubtedly the best available choice.”
Malagò made the announcement of Mancini’s appointment on Tuesday, also revealing that Claudio Ranieri would step in as the new technical director following Paolo Maldini’s resignation just a day earlier—16 days after his appointment.
At 61, Mancini previously led the Azzurri to victory in the 2021 European Championship but unexpectedly resigned as coach in August 2023, soon thereafter taking charge of Saudi Arabia‘s national team.
Andrea Pirlo, a World Cup champion with Italy in 2006, was the prime candidate for the position following Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola’s reported rejections of the role.
However, Pirlo’s potential hiring was met with significant backlash due to his association with the Russian betting company Fonbet. Since July 2025, he has been with Dubai United in the UAE and became a global ambassador for Fonbet in October.
“There was a candidate who was identified and, in some ways, agreed upon, based on the recommendation from sporting director Maldini and support from Leonardo,” Malagò explained. “Choosing not to approve this candidate was my decision, and I regret that some have misrepresented the situation. There is no alternative interpretation of the facts.”
Both Maldini and Leonardo, who had endorsed Pirlo for the role, resigned from their positions as Italy’s technical director and team advisor on Monday.
Malagò added, “I was completely unaware of Pirlo’s partnership with Fonbet.”
“After I made my decision, another came forth [from Maldini, Leonardo]. There was no conflict or controversy between us. Understandably, there was disappointment, especially before we had even started. My stance was unwavering, as was Maldini’s. We mutually agreed to part ways amicably.”
Mancini previously managed Italy from 2018 to 2023, securing the European Championship title but failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
After his tenure with the national team, he managed the Saudi Arabian national team and most recently was in charge of Al Sadd in Qatar.
Giorgio Chiellini has been considered a frontrunner to replace Maldini, although he expressed satisfaction with his current role at Juventus.
Italy has been without a coach since Gennaro Gattuso resigned following the World Cup playoff defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina in April, which resulted in the Azzurri missing their chance to qualify for a third consecutive men’s World Cup.
Information from PA and Associated Press was used in this report.