Poll questions Roberto Mancini’s suitability as Italy’s 2026 coach

A fresh poll asks whether Roberto Mancini is the best man to lead Italy into the 2026 World Cup, after his official return to the Azzurri bench three years after departing. The former EURO 2020 champion now faces scrutiny over his suitability for the upcoming cycle.

FIGC President Giovanni Malagò announced in an afternoon press conference that Mancini has been appointed head coach of the Azzurri, while Claudio Ranieri will assume the technical director role previously held by Paolo Maldini.

Mancini was photographed in OLDENZAAL, NETHERLANDS, on JUNE 17, standing on the sidelines as Head coach before Italy’s UEFA Nations League training session at the K.V.V Quick ’20 Stadium.

The 61‑year‑old’s return marks a comeback after his first spell from July 2018 to August 2023, when he left the national side to manage the Saudi Arabia national team for just over a year.

Following his Saudi stint, Mancini took charge of club side Al‑Sadd from November 2025 until June 2026, adding a brief club chapter to his résumé.

During his tenure he guided Italy to the EURO 2020 title in the summer of 2021, a tournament delayed by the pandemic, and set a world record of 38 consecutive unbeaten matches, a streak later surpassed by Spain.

Overall, Mancini recorded 38 victories, 12 draws and eight defeats with Italy, but his era ended without World Cup qualification after a play‑off loss to North Macedonia for the 2022 tournament.