Roberto Mancini has been reappointed as the manager of the Italian national team, the Italian Football Federation announced at a press conference. This return comes after the appointment of Andrea Pirlo fell through due to his connections with a Russian sports betting website, according to reports. Mancini will resume his role with the Nazionale three years after departing to manage in Saudi Arabia.
The move is somewhat surprising given Mancini’s recent departure, but he previously led Italy to victory at Euro 2021. However, his tenure also included the painful failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, a result that has become increasingly common for Italian football. Despite this setback, Mancini remains a highly respected figure within Italian football.
Alongside Mancini’s reappointment, Claudio Ranieri has been named as the new technical director of the Italian national team. Ranieri recently served as a senior advisor at Roma and previously declined an offer to become the national team manager to remain with the club. At 74 years old, Ranieri will play a key role in the rebuilding process of Italian football, a task considered to be exceptionally challenging.
Mancini’s return, coupled with Ranieri’s appointment, represents a shift back towards experience within the Italian setup. While the initial search for a new manager took an unexpected turn, the Italian Football Federation has opted for familiar faces to navigate the challenges ahead. The appointment of Mancini and Ranieri signals a return to a more traditional approach for the national team, potentially setting the stage for a renewed focus on qualifying for future tournaments and competing at the highest level. Italy will be hoping to mount a strong challenge for the Euro 2028 tournament on home soil.
