FIGC President Giovanni Malagò confirmed on Tuesday that Roberto Mancini is returning as Italy head coach, three years after his departure, while Claudio Ranieri has been appointed technical director and president of Club Italia.
The decision was announced during a press conference following the Federal Council meeting at FIGC headquarters in Rome. It brings an end to a turbulent 17-day period that saw Paolo Maldini and Leonardo resign as technical director and special advisor respectively after their chosen coaching candidate, Andrea Pirlo, was blocked by Malagò over concerns regarding Pirlo's global brand ambassador contract with Fonbet, a Russian gambling site.
Mancini, who led Italy to glory at UEFA Euro 2020 with victory at Wembley Stadium, returns to the Azzurri bench after spells with Saudi Arabia and Al-Sadd. During his previous tenure (2018-2023), he also guided Italy to third place in the UEFA Nations League twice and set a world-record 37-match unbeaten streak - a mark only surpassed by Spain during their 2026 World Cup triumph.
"I decided that the right person to be the Italy coach is Roberto Mancini, for a whole list of reasons," Malagò said. "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."
Ranieri, 74, who retired from coaching in 2024 before returning to rescue Roma in November of that year, becomes the new technical director. "The person I share that vision with is Claudio Ranieri, who a few minutes ago guaranteed he would take the role," Malagò added.
Malagò also indicated that a third figure would join Club Italia within the week to oversee the youth national teams - a role previously held by Gigi Riva and Gigi Buffon.
A joint press conference with Mancini and Ranieri is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29 at 18:20 at FIGC's Via Po headquarters.
Sources
- https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/lannuncio-di-malago-roberto-mancini-ct-della-nazionale-claudio-ranieri-sara-il-nuovo-direttore-tecnico-figc-e-presidente-del-club-italia-ec3mqiwy
- https://football-italia.net/official-italy-appoint-mancini-coach-ranieri/
