¡Official! Roberto Mancini Returns as Italy Head Coach
The veteran manager will lead Italy through the UEFA Euro 2028 and 2030 FIFA World Cup qualifying cycle as the Azzurri begin a new era under familiar leadership.
Italy Have a New Head Coach
After weeks of speculation and evaluating several candidates, the Italian Football Federation has decided to turn once again to Roberto Mancini, who returns to lead the Azzurri with the mission of restoring Italy to the top tier of international football.
His appointment comes after high-profile names such as Andrea Pirlo, Pep Guardiola, and Carlo Ancelotti were ultimately ruled out for a variety of reasons.
MANCINI RETURNS AS THE SAFE CHOICE
Roberto Mancini's return reflects the federation's decision to rely on a coach who already knows the environment and has delivered success with the national team. During his previous spell in charge, he guided Italy to the UEFA Euro 2020 title while building a clear footballing identity centered on ball possession, tactical balance, and attacking play.
Now, Mancini begins a new chapter with the task of rebuilding confidence within the squad, developing a competitive team capable of challenging for major international trophies, and securing qualification for upcoming tournaments.
Mancini's immediate priorities will be UEFA Euro 2028 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, a tournament Italy has not reached since the 2014 edition in Brazil after missing qualification for both Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
PIRLO, GUARDIOLA, AND ANCELOTTI MISSED OUT
Several high-profile coaches were linked with the position throughout the search.
Andrea Pirlo emerged as a candidate thanks to his history with the national team and his deep understanding of Italian football, while Pep Guardiola was repeatedly mentioned despite remaining under contract with his current club.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti was also considered because of his outstanding managerial résumé, but his contractual situation ultimately made any negotiations impossible.
In the end, the federation opted for the most experienced and reliable choice. With Mancini back on the sidelines, Italy hopes to regain stability and begin a new era with the ambition of competing once again among the world's elite football nations.
