Roberto Mancini has returned for a second spell as Italy head coach. FIGC President Giovanni Malagò confirmed the appointment, marking the 61-year-old’s comeback to the national team three years after his initial departure. Claudio Ranieri will serve as technical director, assuming responsibilities previously held by Paolo Maldini.
Previous Success and Disappointment
Mancini’s first tenure with the national team ran from July 2018 to August 2023. The period delivered Italy’s most recent major trophy, with the manager guiding the Azzurri to victory at Euro 2020, a tournament contested during the summer of 2021 following pandemic-related postponement. Under his guidance, Italy embarked upon a 38-match unbeaten sequence that established a new world record for international football. Spain, the current World Cup holders, have since surpassed that milestone.
The reign also featured significant setbacks. Mancini oversaw Italy’s elimination from qualification for the 2022 World Cup, with the team falling to North Macedonia in a damaging play-off defeat. Statistical records from his initial spell show 38 wins, 12 draws and eight defeats across 58 matches in all competitions.
Interim Career and New Structure
Following his resignation from the national team post in August 2023, Mancini accepted an opportunity with the Saudi Arabia national team. That Middle Eastern assignment lasted slightly more than twelve months. He subsequently moved into club management with Al-Sadd of Qatar, holding the position from November 2025 until June 2026.
The Italian Football Federation has now reinstated its most recent trophy-winning coach as the Nazionale attempt to re-establish themselves among the sport’s elite. Ranieri’s simultaneous appointment as technical director represents a significant restructuring of the federation’s football operations, pairing Mancini’s tactical leadership with experienced administrative oversight. The duo will collaborate to restore Italy’s competitive edge at international level, beginning with the task of revitalising a squad that has undergone considerable change since the European Championship triumph.