Roberto Mancini will return as Italy head coach for a second spell, with the Italian Football Federation confirming that he and new technical director Claudio Ranieri will face the media on July 29 at 18:00 CET. FIGC President Giovanni Malagò announced the appointments on Tuesday, reinstalling the 61-year-old three years after his abrupt departure for the Saudi Arabia national team.
The decision places Mancini back in charge of the Azzurri alongside Ranieri, who assumes the technical director role at Club Italia. Malagò acknowledged that the federation had evaluated other candidates before selecting the Euro 2020 winner, noting that both appointees had shown “great sensibility on the budget issues” during negotiations.
Track Record and Departures
Mancini’s initial tenure ran from July 2018 to August 2023, yielding Italy’s most recent major trophy with victory at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament. During that period, his side established a then-world record of 38 consecutive matches unbeaten, though Spain have since surpassed that figure. Statistical records from his first spell show 38 victories, 12 draws and eight defeats across 58 matches.
However, the reign also featured the team’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup following a damaging play-off defeat to North Macedonia. After resigning in August 2023, Mancini spent just over a year with Saudi Arabia before a brief spell at Qatari club Al-Sadd, which concluded in June 2026.
Public Divide
The appointment has drawn contrasting responses. Como coach Cesc Fabregas welcomed the news, describing Mancini as “a winner” who “plays good football”. Fabregas referenced the manager’s previous success at Manchester City, where he won the Premier League in 2012, alongside the European Championship triumph.
Conversely, a recent poll indicated that over 80 per cent of Italians believe Mancini is not the right choice for the position. Malagò confirmed he had taken these results into account, stating he assumes the coach will address public concerns during Wednesday’s press conference.
Mancini’s mother, Marianna Puolo, expressed personal delight at her son’s return. “I am very happy,” she told news agency ANSA. She noted that he can remain closer to his family, observing that the previous year in Qatar had been difficult. She added that she hopes he can achieve “another great triumph” with the national team.
Structural Reform
The federation has paired Mancini’s return with significant organisational changes. Ranieri’s appointment as technical director represents a modification to the Club Italia statute, separating the coaching and administrative functions. Malagò described this as a “cultural shift” intended to revitalise youth development structures, noting that the President had previously been the only figure authorised to lead Club Italia.