Roberto Mancini to be named Italy head coach for second time, source says

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing Reuters, reported on July 28, 2026, that Roberto Mancini is set to return as Italy’s national football team coach for a second term. Reuters attributed the development to a source close to the matter, while Italian media reported that Football Federation President Giovanni Malago told a Federal Council meeting that Mancini was the coach.

Mancini is expected to succeed Gennaro Gattuso, who left the role in April after a World Cup qualifying loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to the report, that result meant Italy, a four-time world champion, had failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time, deepening pressure on the federation to reset the national team programme.

The appointment would bring back a coach who led Italy from 2018 to 2023 and delivered the European Championship title in 2021. Al Jazeera reported that Mancini, 61, oversaw 58 Italy matches in his first spell. His club coaching background includes Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Manchester City, where he won the 2011-12 Premier League title.

The reported decision follows uncertainty around other candidates and federation roles. The article said former technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo resigned after their preferred candidate, Andrea Pirlo, was blocked because of links to a Russian betting firm. It also reported that Pep Guardiola, described as the federation’s first choice, declined the position earlier in July.