Roberto Mancini has been handed a second chance to lead Italy — returning as head coach just a day after Andrea Pirlo’s appointment collapsed over ties to a Russian betting company, triggering the resignation of legendary defender Paolo Maldini.
Maldini had been appointed technical director on 11 July as part of a federation overhaul aimed at rebuilding the national side after Italy failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup finals. But he stepped down just 16 days later, alongside adviser and former Brazil international Leonardo, after Pirlo was blocked from taking over.
“Mancini reappointed Italy manager after Pirlo blocked over betting ties, prompting Maldini resignation.”
Pirlo had been Maldini’s primary choice for the job after Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti both rejected approaches from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). However, the former Italy midfielder wrote on Instagram on Monday that he was “no longer a candidate” after fierce opposition over his commercial links to Russian betting firm Fonbet.
“I believed that the best person to become head coach was Roberto Mancini,” FIGC president Giovanni Malago said. “I needed someone with whom I could share the decision on the coach, because without that shared view my reasoning would have carried little weight. So consequently, we have a new coach and a new technical director for Italy.”
Claudio Ranieri, who led Leicester City to the Premier League title in 2015-16, replaces Maldini as technical director. The 74-year-old has also managed Juventus, Roma and Inter Milan.
Mancini previously managed Italy from 2018 to 2023, winning Euro 2020 by beating England in the final at Wembley and setting a world record 37-game unbeaten run. But his tenure was blighted by failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup — losing to North Macedonia in a play-off — and he resigned in August 2023. He later coached Saudi Arabia and Qatari side Al Sadd.
He replaces Gennaro Gattuso, whose contract was terminated in April by mutual consent after Italy missed a third consecutive World Cup — the first winners ever to do so. Italy have not featured at a World Cup finals since 2014.
Italy start their Nations League campaign on 25 September at home to Belgium before travelling to face Turkey three days later.