TheItaly National Team now has a new coach. In the midst of a deep sports and institutional crisis, the Italian Football Federation(FIGC) confirmed this Tuesday the return of Roberto Mancini as head coach of the national team, with the aim of leading the reconstruction of the Azzurra and putting an end to a historic streak of frustrations.
The announcement was made by the president of the FIGC, Giovanni Malagò, who reaffirmed the decision after a meeting of the Federal Council. Thus, Mancini will begin his second term at the helm of the national team, after having managed the team from 2018 to 2023, a period during which he won the 2021 Euro Cup, the last major success of Italian football.
His return comes just days after the failed attempt to hireAndrea Pirlo. The former midfielder was the chosen candidate by Paolo MaldiniandLeonardo Araújo, who had recently taken on the roles of director of national teams and advisor, respectively. However, Malagò's refusal to proceed with that appointment led to the resignation of both officials and forced the Federation to seek an alternative.
Explaining the process, the FIGC president stated: "It is true what has been disclosed so far: there was a defined candidate agreed upon by recommendation of Maldini and Leonardo. Then, the change of stance regarding the chosen name, Pirlo, led me to stop supporting this candidacy, simply to evaluate whether it was the most appropriate".
Malagò also denied that the departure of Maldini and Leonardo occurred amid a confrontation. "There was no conflict or controversy with Maldini and Leonardo. With the utmost respect, as happens in the best families, there was an absolute and calm dialogue", he affirmed.
According to the official, Mancini's selection received unanimous support from the Federal Council. He also announced that the experienced Claudio Ranieri will take on the role of director of national teams, vacant after Maldini's departure, while a third appointment will be announced in the coming days to coordinate the work of all national categories.
Claudio Ranieri will replace Paolo Maldini as the director of national teams
Mancini's mission will be to reverse one of the most delicate moments in the history of Italian football. After winning the 2006 World Cup, the Azzurra was eliminated in the group stage of South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014, and subsequently faced three consecutive absences in the World Cups of Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and the United States, Mexico, and Canada 2026.
Despite this outlook, the new coach arrives with the backing of having been the architect of the last Euro Cup title and with the sufficient experience to try to return Italy to the place it historically occupied among the great powers of world football.
Mancini's numbers with Italy
In his first term from 2018 to 2023 with the Azzurra, the native of the Italian town of Jesi managed 61 matches, with a record of 39 victories, 13 draws, and 9 losses, and a balance of 130 goals scored and 49 against. In terms of titles, he won 1: 2021 Euro Cup.
