End of Italy's coaching saga: Mancini returns to lead Azzurri

The frantic hunt for a new Italy coach, marked by dead‑end talks with Pep Guardiola and Andrea Pirlo, finally gave way to a clear decision: 61‑year‑old Roberto Mancini has been appointed head coach of the Azzurri. This contrast between a chaotic selection process and a decisive appointment ends a long‑running soap.

The Italian federation announced the appointment on Tuesday afternoon, confirming the news at 16:04. The announcement made clear that the South European nation had secured its new manager.

Mancini is no stranger to top‑level clubs. He previously managed Manchester City, Internazionale and Zenit Saint Petersburg, bringing a wealth of experience from the English Premier League, Serie A and the Russian league.

He also knows the national side well. In 2021, under his guidance, the Azzurri captured the European Championship title, a triumph that still defines his first spell as Italy coach.

Before Mancini’s return, Italy pursued other candidates. Pep Guardiola was considered the dream choice after leaving Manchester City, but no agreement was reached with the Catalan. Andrea Pirlo then entered the shortlist, yet his links to Russian gambling firms caused the deal to collapse.

During that period, Mancini lingered on the federation’s shadow list. Having left Al Sadd this summer, he was without a club and therefore free to be hired by the Italian federation.

Looking ahead, Mancini must guide Italy from a missed World Cup to the Euro 2028 tournament. He will be assisted by Leandro Bonucci, while Claudio Ranieri has been appointed technical director of the Italian national team.