Roberto Mancini is back as Italy manager after Andrea Pirlo withdrew and Paolo Maldini quit, forcing another shake-up for the Azzurri.
Roberto Mancini is back as Italy manager, returning for a second spell after another abrupt reshuffle at the top of the national setup. The move came just a day after Andrea Pirlo withdrew from the race for the job and technical director Paolo Maldini resigned, leaving the Italian Football Federation to pivot once again.
FIGC president Giovanni Malago said he believed Mancini was the right choice to lead the team. The federation also moved to replace Maldini, naming Claudio Ranieri as technical director. Maldini had only been appointed two weeks earlier, and adviser Leonardo also stepped down after the decision not to hire Pirlo. Before settling on Pirlo as a leading candidate, the FIGC had also approached Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti about the Italy job.
Mancini, 61, knows the pressure that comes with managing the Azzurri. He previously held the role from 2018 to 2023 and guided Italy to the Euro 2020 title, beating England in the final at Wembley. During that run, Italy set a world record by going 37 matches unbeaten. But the success did not carry over to World Cup qualification. Italy missed the 2022 tournament after losing to North Macedonia in a play-off, and Mancini resigned in August 2023.
The latest reset follows another painful qualifying failure. Italy fell short again earlier this year and will miss this summer’s World Cup, a result that ended Gattuso’s spell in charge. Gattuso left in April by mutual consent after the contract was terminated, and under-21 coach Silvio Baldini had been serving in the job on an interim basis. For a country with Italy’s football history, the repeated setbacks have become impossible to ignore.
“Roberto Mancini is back as Italy manager after Andrea Pirlo withdrew and Paolo Maldini quit, forcing another shake-up for the Azzurri.”
This is also a reminder that Italy’s national team has spent too long outside football’s biggest stage. Despite major wins in Europe, the country has not appeared at a World Cup finals since 2014. That absence carries real weight for fans and for a federation still searching for stability. Mancini’s return gives Italy a familiar face and a proven winner, but it also raises the standard immediately, because the next qualifying tests will show whether this reset has any staying power.
Mancini brings a broad club and international résumé. He led Manchester City to their first Premier League title in 2012 and also enjoyed success with Lazio and Inter Milan, winning the Coppa Italia with both clubs and three Serie A titles with Inter. He later had spells with Galatasaray and Zenit St Petersburg before taking the Italy job in 2018. After leaving the national team, he briefly coached Saudi Arabia before moving to Al Sadd in Qatar, where the side won the Qatar Stars League but fell short in other competitions. He left that post in June.
Italy now turn to Nations League play, with Belgium visiting on 25 September before the team travels to Turkey three days later. The next few matches will offer the clearest early read on whether Mancini can steady a program that has been rocked by resignations, failed qualifications, and constant change. For American fans and anyone who follows the global game, Italy’s path matters because a proud soccer power is trying to stop the slide and prove it can still perform on the international stage.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Italy bring Roberto Mancini back as manager?
The Italian Football Federation turned to Mancini after Andrea Pirlo withdrew from consideration and Paolo Maldini resigned. FIGC president Giovanni Malago said he believed Mancini was the right choice to lead the team.
What did Mancini achieve in his first spell with Italy?
He managed Italy from 2018 to 2023, won Euro 2020 by beating England in the final at Wembley, and helped set a world record 37-match unbeaten run.
Why did Mancini leave Italy the first time?
Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after losing to North Macedonia in a playoff, and Mancini resigned in August 2023.
What are Italy’s next matches?
Italy begin Nations League play with Belgium visiting on 25 September, then travel to Turkey three days later.
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