Roberto Mancini appointed Italy head coach for second time as tumultuous search comes to an end
Updated 28/07/2026 at 16:01 GMT+1
React to this story
Roberto Mancini has been appointed as the new head coach of Italy. The 61-year-old returns for a second spell managing the Azzurri following his five-year stint in charge between 2018 and 2023.
Zidane reveals he rejected club offers to wait for France job
Video credit: SNTV
The former Manchester City manager, who led Italy to their last success by winning Euro 2020, has been handed the task of rebuilding the national team following Gennaro Gattuso’s departure.
The 48-year-old's tenure ended in April after the four-time world champions failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup.
"I believed that the best person to become head coach was Roberto Mancini," said Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago on Tuesday.
Mancini took over as Saudi Arabia manager following his exit from the Italy job in 2023. He then went on to manage Qatari side Al-Sadd, but recently departed after just eight months in charge.
Mancini's return to the Azzurri helm comes after Andrea Pirlo pulled out of the running to succeed Gattuso on Monday.
Pirlo had been set to take over as Italy boss, but dropped out as a candidate owing to his links with a Russian betting firm.
Several Italian politicians criticised the FIGC's decision to appoint the former midfielder, who took up the role as global ambassador for Fonbet last October.
Additionally, the pursuit of Pirlo saw leading technical director Paolo Maldini and special advisor Leonardo leave their respective roles with the FIGC after just 16 days.
Former Leicester City and AS Roma head coach Claudio Ranieri has also taken over as Federation Director.
- 'Great bitterness' - Pirlo out of running for Italy job
- Zidane reveals he turned down several club offers for 'dream' France job
"It was a calm and consensual decision to go our separate ways," Malago said of Maldini and Leonardo's exit on Tuesday.
"I needed someone who could share my vision of who would be the Italy coach. This shared vision on Mancini was not present with Maldini.
"Maldini and Leo were gentlemen, as always, but also clear and honest on their views. So was I."
Former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and current Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti - two iconic figures in the game - were both approached to take over as Italy boss, but both rejected the advances of the Italian FA.
Mancini's first games
Mancini kicks off his second reign as Italy head coach against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on September 25, before an away meeting with Turkiye three days later.
Italy then face France and Turkiye in early October - as part of the extended international break - before another meeting with France and a trip to Belgium in November.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/07/28/image-287d061c-ee37-4c03-b0dd-0af16d9b4106-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'He is my idol' - Mbappe and other stars on Zidane becoming France manager
Video credit: SNTV
The main aim for Mancini, however, will be to guide Italy to the 2028 European Championship.
Euro 2028 will be co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, and Republic of Ireland as Italy seek to secure European glory for the third time in their history. The last of their wins came in the delayed Euro 2020 tournament, when they beat England in the final at Wembley on penalties.
After that will come the 2030 World Cup, with four-time winners Italy desperate to make football's biggest show again, having not been there since 2014 in Brazil.
This is a breaking news story. For the latest updates, please refresh the page.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement