Italy have reappointed Roberto Mancini as coach, bringing an end to their hectic search for Gennaro Gattuso’s successor.
Gattuso stepped down from the role earlier this year after Italy failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup, losing their play-off match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties.
Italy held talks with both Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, but were rejected before turning to Andrea Pirlo.
Pirlo looked set to take over from Gattuso, but saw the deal fall through on Sunday, which also led to the resignations of technical director Paolo Maldini and special advisor Leonardo.
Mancini, who has reportedly signed a contract until the 2030 World Cup, will hold his first press conference alongside new technical director Claudio Ranieri on Wednesday.
“With regards to the matter of the Italy coach, what was on the media [on Monday] was largely correct, in that there was a candidate who had been chosen, and to a degree agreed, as suggested by technical director Paolo Maldini and consultant Leonardo,” said FIGC president Giovanni Malago.
“Then the evolution of the nomination of Andrea Pirlo, who we had made an agreement with, led to me no longer approving this candidacy. It was inopportune. I didn’t get time to read everything, but from what I saw, I am sorry that some blew this situation up.
“Time is short, your curiosity as the media also pushed us to hurry, and I evaluated the person who should become the new coach of Italy is Roberto Mancini, for a whole list of reasons.
Roberto Mancini è il nuovo Commissario Tecnico della Nazionale #Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/PioBpZX6TS
— Nazionale Italiana (@Azzurri) July 28, 2026
“I take responsibility for those, but I want to clarify that this does not change the new culture and role of a technical director at Club Italia.
“With what happened, I needed someone who could share my vision of who would be the Italy coach, because there has to be a shared vision with the President and technical director of Club Italia.
“This shared vision on Mancini was not present with Paolo Maldini.”
Mancini previously took charge of the national team from 2018 to 2023, guiding the Azzurri to the Euro 2020 title.
However, the former Manchester City boss failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup with Italy, and he then resigned from the role in 2023 to become Saudi Arabia coach.
During his time in charge, Mancini led the side on a 37-math unbeaten streak, a record surpassed by Spain after their victory over Argentina in the World Cup final.
Mancini won 38 of his 58 games in charge during his first stint (D12 L8) in total, while his second spell will begin with a clash against Belgium in the Nations League on September 25.
