He is back. Roberto Mancini will return as Head Coach of the Italy national team, bringing one of the most recognisable names in Italian football back to the dugout he once graced with such distinction. The announcement was made by Giovanni Malagò following the Federal Council meeting on July 28, 2026 — a day that marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Azzurri.
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A Return Born Out of Necessity
Italy had been without a coach since Gennaro Gattuso resigned after April’s World Cup playoff loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina, which saw the Azzurri miss out on a third consecutive men’s World Cup.
Mancini’s appointment comes after high-profile names such as Andrea Pirlo, Pep Guardiola, and Carlo Ancelotti were ultimately ruled out for a variety of reasons. The appointment also comes the day after Andrea Pirlo was dropped as the leading candidate for the Italy job amid political concerns over a sponsorship deal with a Russian betting firm.
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.
What the Federation Said
FIGC President Giovanni Malagò was emphatic in his backing of the appointment. “Time was running out and I felt that Roberto Mancini was the right person for the job as manager, for a whole list of reasons,” Malagò said. “He’s the best possible choice.”
Malagò announced Mancini as the new Italy coach on Tuesday, adding that Claudio Ranieri will become the new Technical Director after Paolo Maldini stepped down the previous day — just 16 days after being appointed.
Appointment Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Roberto Mancini |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Age | 61 |
| Role | Head Coach — Italy National Team |
| Appointment Date | July 28, 2026 |
| Previous Italy Spell | May 2018 – August 2023 |
| Previous Role Before Return | Al Sadd (Qatar) |
| FIGC Technical Director | Claudio Ranieri |
| FIGC President | Giovanni Malagò |
The First Spell — A Legacy Defined by Euro 2020
Having already led the Azzurri from 2018 to 2023, Mancini returns to the Italy touchlines after victory at UEFA EURO 2020.
Mancini’s first spell as Italy coach came immediately after the team missed out on the 2018 World Cup. He revived the Azzurri by adding flair and youth to a team that won admirers all over the continent during the year-delayed Euro 2020 — beating England at Wembley Stadium in a penalty shootout for the trophy.
Having led Italy to European Championship glory on 11 July 2021, Mancini’s first spell in charge of the Azzurri also saw the team reach the UEFA Nations League Finals twice, finishing third in both the 2020/21 and 2022/23 editions.
During his time as Head Coach, he also oversaw Italy’s record run of 37 consecutive matches unbeaten, a world record that was surpassed only a few days ago by Spain following their victory over Argentina in the World Cup.
What Happened Between the Two Spells
The 61-year-old Mancini led the Azzurri to the European Championship title in 2021 but shockingly resigned as Italy coach in August 2023, taking over Saudi Arabia’s national team two weeks later.
He was subsequently in charge of the Saudi Arabia national team and most recently managed Al Sadd in Qatar before being called back to the Azzurri fold. Mancini returns to the job with Italy having failed to qualify for a FIFA World Cup since 2014.
Mancini’s Managerial Career at a Glance
| Club / Nation | Period | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Fiorentina | 2001–2002 | — |
| Lazio | 2002–2004 | — |
| Inter Milan | 2004–2008 | 3x Serie A Titles |
| Manchester City | 2009–2013 | Premier League Title (2012) |
| Galatasaray | 2013–2014 | Turkish Super Lig |
| Inter Milan (2nd Spell) | 2014–2016 | — |
| Zenit St. Petersburg | 2017–2018 | — |
| Italy | 2018–2023 | UEFA Euro 2020 |
| Saudi Arabia | 2023–2024 | — |
| Al Sadd (Qatar) | 2024–2026 | — |
| Italy (2nd Spell) | 2026– | TBD |
The Task Ahead — Rebuilding the Azzurri
The challenge that awaits Mancini is enormous, but it is one he has handled before. 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.
The rebuild starts now. The Azzurri — four-time World Cup winners — cannot afford another absence from football’s grandest stage.
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FAQs
Has Roberto Mancini’s appointment as Italy head coach been officially confirmed?
Yes. Roberto Mancini will return for a second spell as national team coach, with Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Giovanni Malagò confirming the appointment, while Claudio Ranieri will take over as technical director.
Why was Roberto Mancini chosen ahead of other candidates?
Mancini’s appointment came after high-profile names such as Andrea Pirlo, Pep Guardiola, and Carlo Ancelotti were ultimately ruled out for a variety of reasons. His return reflects the federation’s decision to rely on a coach who already knows the environment and has delivered success with the national team.
What did Mancini achieve in his first spell as Italy coach?
Mancini had a five-year stint as head coach of Italy between 2018 and 2023, winning the European Championship but failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. He also guided the Azzurri to a world-record 37-game unbeaten run.
Who did Mancini replace as Italy head coach?
Mancini replaces Gennaro Gattuso, who left the post in April following a World Cup qualifying defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina — the third time in a row the four-times world champions had failed to reach the global showpiece event.
What are Mancini’s main objectives in this second stint with Italy?
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.
