Mancini’s second chance forces Italy to confront World Cup chaos

Inside Roberto Mancini Italian rescue mission, the Azzurri welcome back their former Euro 2020 coach as his second spell starts on Friday with Belgium in Rome. Why this matters: Italy, four‑times World Cup champions, hope to end a recent nightmare after Mancini’s three‑year Saudi stint. By TOM COLLOMOSSE, FOOTBALL, 25 September 2026.

Mancini’s turbulent return

Mancini, now 61, quit Italy abruptly three years ago to accept a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia, leaving the national side in disarray. Many supporters still harbour resentment and Serie A clubs had preferred Antonio Conte to steer the revival. Why his return matters is clear: the Azzurri need a steady hand after recent chaos. The coach knows he is lucky to have another chance.

Mancini’s bond with Italian FA president Giovanni Malagò stretches back to their days playing together in a Rome five‑a‑side team. Their friendship may smooth the coach’s re‑entry, but both risk losing their jobs if the Nations League campaign collapses. Here Sport looks at whether the former Manchester City boss is up to it. If Malagò loses his position, the partnership ends.

New blood in the squad

Mancini has turned to younger talent, handing first call‑ups to Issa Doumbia of Sporting Lisbon and Mohamed Ali Zoma, who has been scoring freely for Nuremberg in Germany’s second tier; both are 22. He also secured Alessandro Romano, a 20‑year‑old Cagliari midfielder, and is still battling Jurgen Klopp for Germany Under‑21 striker Nicolo’ Tresoldi, born in Italy. Who will drive the new era remains an open question as the squad reshapes. The selections reflect Mancini’s belief that fresh talent can revive Italy’s fortunes.

Italy and Mancini look to surprise Belgium in Rome

Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will captain the side, joined by Nicolo Barella, the only two survivors from the Euro 2020 final win over England likely to start on Friday. Premier League trio Michael Kayode, Riccardo Calafiori and Sandro Tonali are set for inclusion, while Inter Milan’s Francesco Pio Esposito is the first‑choice centre‑forward, having already scored five goals in nine appearances for Italy. His style has been likened to 2006 winner Luca Toni and his elder brother Sebastiano also makes the squad, but ‘Pio’ generates far more excitement.

Recent wounds and pressure

Lazio midfielder Davide Frattesi admitted this week that the failure to reach last summer’s World Cup remains an ‘open wound’ for Italy. The penalty‑shootout defeat by Bosnia‑Herzegovina in March cost Gennaro Gattuso his job and, after Giovanni Malagò’s election as FA president, Mancini’s chances of reclaiming the role spiked dramatically. The lingering disappointment adds pressure to deliver immediate results. The disappointment of missing the World Cup has intensified scrutiny on the new coach.

Italy’s risky Rome debut against Belgium sparks doubts over Mancini’s revival

After Malagò appointed Paolo Maldini as technical director and former Brazil star Leonardo as special adviser, the pair lasted only 16 days, their attempt to hire Pep Guardiola collapsing into a bizarre pursuit of Andrea Pirlo, whose alleged Russian betting links forced him to withdraw. Claudio Ranieri, the 2016 Leicester champion, was then installed as the FA’s technical director. Maldini’s brief tenure underscores the chaos that preceded Mancini’s appointment. In this turbulent backdrop, Mancini is arguably a better fit than any of his short‑lived predecessors.