Italy reappoint Roberto Mancini as manager on four-year contract
Roberto Mancini has returned as manager of the Italian national team on a four-year contract, pleading for forgiveness from supporters following his controversial departure to Saudi Arabia in 2023.
The 61-year-old takes charge of the Azzurri for a second time, having previously led them to the Euro 2020 title during a highly successful five-year tenure.
That initial spell ended abruptly when he resigned to take over the Saudi Arabian national side, a decision that drew intense criticism in his homeland.
Now back at the helm, the former Manchester City boss has vowed to rebuild trust and restore the nation’s footballing prestige.
“I will try to make sure the team is so beautiful and plays so well that the fans fall in love with it, and perhaps forgive me for what happened,” Mancini said.
World Cup ambitions and youth focus
Italy’s recent international record has been historically poor, with the four-time world champions famously failing to qualify for the last three World Cups.
Addressing this steep decline, the returning coach emphasised the desperate need for domestic clubs to integrate younger talent into their starting lineups.
“There are two things I want the most. First, getting Italian fans to fall in love with the national team again. Second, making sure that children like my 12-year-old grandson, who have never seen Italy play at a World Cup, get the chance to do so.”
Ranieri joins amid boardroom chaos
The managerial appointment follows a period of significant turmoil within the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
Initial plans to install Andrea Pirlo collapsed because of his reported connections to a Russian betting company, prompting the swift resignations of backers Paolo Maldini and Leonardo.
In a move designed to stabilise the hierarchy, FIGC president Giovanni Malago has also appointed 74-year-old Claudio Ranieri as the new technical director.
The veteran tactician will now oversee elite football development across all national team age groups.
Nations League tests await
The newly assembled coaching team faces an immediate and challenging baptism in the Uefa Nations League later this month.
The Azzurri will host Belgium in Rome on 25 September, before heading to Bologna to face Turkey on 5 October.
“We’ll immediately get a real measure of our strength and identify the areas where we need to improve,” the manager concluded.