Roberto Mancini is set to be reappointed as head coach of Italy for a second spell, with the Italian football federation (FIGC) announcing the move. Multiple outlets report that FIGC president Giovanni Malago confirms Mancini’s return after he previously managed the national team from 2018 until 2023. Mancini’s earlier tenure included winning Euro 2020, but he resigned from his post in circumstances described by some reporting as controversial.
Several sources link the reappointment to changes in the federation’s technical structure. They report that Paolo Maldini has left his role as technical director shortly before Mancini’s return, after a brief tenure. In line with those changes, outlets also say Claudio Ranieri replaces Maldini as technical director. One report adds that Maldini had threatened to resign if Mancini was appointed, while Ranieri is named as his successor.
Other reporting notes that Italy missed recent World Cups and that Mancini is returning with an expectation to help restore the national team’s performance. Some outlets further say the appointment comes after Mancini was preferred over Antonio Conte.
