Mancini’s Return to Lead Italy
Roberto Mancini has been appointed as the new coach of the Italy national team, marking his return to the role almost three years after his previous departure. The announcement was made by Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malagò. This decision comes as Italy faces a period of crisis, having failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time. Alongside Mancini, Claudio Ranieri will assume the position of technical director, following Paolo Maldini‘s resignation just 16 days after his appointment.
Malagò emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that time was limited and Mancini was the right choice for various reasons. A press conference is scheduled to introduce both Mancini and Ranieri. Mancini, who previously guided the Azzurri to the European Championship title in 2021, unexpectedly resigned in August 2023 to take on the coaching role for Saudi Arabia‘s national team. Malagò acknowledged Mancini’s past departure and recent apologies, confirming that all necessary assessments were made before his re-appointment.
Challenges and Previous Search for a Coach
Italy’s recent struggles include a 1-0 semifinal playoff loss to North Macedonia in 2022, which resulted in them missing out on the World Cup. This failure led to the resignations of former FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso in April. Mancini’s first tenure as Italy coach began after the team missed the 2018 World Cup. During that period, he revitalized the squad, leading them to a world-record 37-match unbeaten run between 2018 and 2021, culminating in their Euro 2020 victory against England at Wembley Stadium.
The search for a new coach was extensive and faced several hurdles. Andrea Pirlo was initially considered the leading candidate but was dropped due to concerns over a sponsorship deal with a Russian betting firm. This situation also contributed to the departures of Maldini and special adviser Leonardo, which Malagò described as a mutual decision. Other prominent coaches, including Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, had reportedly declined offers to coach the Azzurri. Former Italy coach Antonio Conte was also among the contenders.
Maldini had previously aimed to secure a high-profile coach, even approaching Guardiola. Guardiola, who played in Italy for Roma and Brescia, was seen as a potential break from tradition, being the first foreign coach for Italy since Argentine Helenio Herrera 60 years ago. However, Guardiola’s desire for a sabbatical after his time at Manchester City meant he was not available. Similarly, Ancelotti had extended his contract with Brazil, reiterating his commitment to that agreement.
The difficulties in attracting a top-tier coach highlighted the challenges faced by the FIGC. Maldini acknowledged the financial aspect was not a concern for Guardiola, given his previous earnings. The consideration of Pirlo, a former teammate of Maldini and Leonardo, followed these rejections. Pirlo’s coaching career included a season at Juventus, where he won the Coppa Italia and finished fourth, before moving to Fatih Karagumruk in Turkey and later FC United Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where he achieved top-flight promotion. However, his association with a Russian betting firm ultimately led to his removal from consideration for the Italy job.
Mancini’s coaching experience also includes leading Inter Milan and Manchester City to league titles. After leaving Saudi Arabia in 2024, he most recently coached at Al-Sadd in Qatar before departing last month. Italy’s next matches are scheduled for September and October in the Nations League, where they will face Belgium, Turkey, and France.
Malagò tempered expectations for immediate results, noting that the new coach will have limited training sessions before the first game. He also pointed out that the current squad does not include players like Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, or Harry Kane, and that Italy is in a group with three teams that participated in the last World Cup, with two reaching the last eight.
Source: tsn.ca
