Italy: Roberto Mancini appointed manager for second time - BBC

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Roberto Mancini has been appointed Italy manager for a second spell, returning to the national team after a turbulent search for Gennaro Gattuso’s successor. The move was confirmed on 28 July 2026, one day after Andrea Pirlo withdrew from contention and technical director Paolo Maldini resigned. Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago said he believed Mancini was the best choice for the head coach role.

Gattuso left in April after Italy missed out on a third consecutive World Cup. Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini had been serving on an interim basis. According to the BBC, Pirlo had appeared likely to take the job but stepped back amid controversy related to his links with a Russian betting company. Maldini, who had only recently taken the technical director post, and adviser Leonardo resigned after Pirlo was not appointed. Claudio Ranieri will now replace Maldini as technical director.

Mancini, 61, previously led Italy from 2018 to 2023, winning Euro 2020 at Wembley and overseeing a 37-match unbeaten run. His first tenure also included failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after a play-off defeat by North Macedonia. Italy have not played at a World Cup finals since 2014, making the appointment significant for a federation under pressure to restore the Azzurri’s standing.

The BBC notes that Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti were contacted before Pirlo emerged as a candidate. Mancini’s club career includes winning the Premier League with Manchester City and Serie A titles with Inter Milan. Italy are due to begin their Nations League campaign at home to Belgium on 25 September, followed by a trip to Turkey three days later.