Former Italy manager Roberto Mancini is set to return for a second spell as the head coach of the national football team, a source close to the matter told Reuters on Tuesday. Mancini will step in to replace Gennaro Gattuso, who departed from the position in April following a disappointing World Cup qualifying defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina. That qualifying stumble marked the third consecutive time that the four-time world champions failed to secure a spot in the prestigious global tournament, intensifying pressure on the national football federation to revitalize the squad.
According to reports from Italian media outlets, Football Federation President Giovanni Malago announced the high-profile appointment during a crucial Federal Council meeting, confirming unequivocally that Mancini would reclaim the helm. At sixty-one years of age, Mancini brings a wealth of elite managerial experience back to the national setup. During his initial tenure spanning from 2018 to 2023, he famously guided the Azzurri to the European Championship title in 2021, commanding the squad across fifty-eight official matches. His illustrious club career includes successful managerial stints with Italian giants Inter Milan and Fiorentina, alongside a three-year tenure at Manchester City where he captured the club`s first Premier League title in the 2011 to 2012 campaign.
The path to Mancini`s reappointment was marked by considerable administrative turbulence within the federation. Earlier in the week, former technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo tendered their resignations after their primary managerial candidate, Andrea Pirlo, had his potential appointment blocked due to past commercial ties with a Russian betting enterprise. Furthermore, initial reports indicated that the federation`s top choice, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, formally declined an offer to take charge of the national team earlier this month, leaving the governing body searching for a proven winner.
Mancini`s return is widely viewed by sports analysts as a calculated move by Italian football authorities to restore stability and tactical discipline to a team struggling with inconsistency. The veteran coach inherits a squad eager to put behind them the bitter disappointments of recent qualifying failures and refocus on upcoming international competitions. Fans and sports pundits alike have expressed cautious optimism, recognizing that Mancini`s deep familiarity with Italian football culture and his proven track record in tournament environments make him uniquely suited for the rebuilding process.
As preparations begin for the upcoming fixtures, the Italian Football Federation is expected to outline a comprehensive long-term strategy aimed at restructuring youth development and modernizing national team tactics. Mancini`s immediate priority will be rebuilding player morale and establishing tactical cohesion ahead of crucial international friendlies and regional qualifiers. With the hopes of a passionate footballing nation resting on his shoulders, the returning manager faces a formidable task, but one he is thoroughly equipped to handle based on his historic past successes.
