Mancini previously managed Italy from 2018-2023, achieving 39 wins, 13 draws, and 9 losses, with 130 goals scored and 49 conceded. His greatest success was winning Euro 2020—a tournament delayed by one year due to Covid-19—where Italy defeated host England 3-2 in a penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium in London.

During that period, Italy also reached the Nations League finals, losing to Spain in the semi-finals before securing third place with a 3-2 victory over the Netherlands.

Coach Mancini with the Euro 2020 championship. Photo: FIGC

Coach Mancini with the Euro 2020 championship. Photo: FIGC

However, Mancini faced criticism after failing to qualify Italy for the World Cup 2022. A 0-1 home defeat to North Macedonia in the play-off semi-finals meant the Azzurri missed the World Cup for the second consecutive time.

After resigning as Italy's head coach, Mancini moved on to manage the Saudi Arabia national team with an annual salary of 25 million USD, making him the highest-paid national team coach. However, he lasted just over one year, winning 8 out of 20 matches—a success rate of only 40%—and his tenure was marked by controversy. Following this, the 61-year-old coach briefly managed Qatari club Al Sadd.

Claudio Ranieri has been appointed alongside Mancini, taking on the role of technical director for Italy's national team system. The veteran coach has managed numerous clubs across Europe, including Parma, Juventus, Inter Milan, Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Monaco, Nantes, and Chelsea. His career highlight was leading Leicester to win the Premier League title in the 2015-2016 season.

Ranieri had announced his retirement in 2024 but returned to manage Roma for the latter half of the 2024-2025 season. He guided Roma to a fifth-place finish in Serie A and then served as a senior advisor at the club until 4/2026.

Mancini and Ranieri are scheduled to attend a press conference to officially launch their new roles with the Italy national team at 6 p.m. on 29/7, Rome time. The contract terms, including the duration of their appointments, have not yet been disclosed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) posted an image announcing Roberto Mancini's appointment as Italy coach on 28/7. Photo: FIGC

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) posted an image announcing Roberto Mancini's appointment as Italy coach on 28/7. Photo: FIGC

The appointments of Mancini and Ranieri bring an end to 17 turbulent days for Italian football. On 12/7, the FIGC announced Paolo Maldini as the first-ever technical director for the national team system, with Leonardo serving as a special advisor.

Just five days prior, Maldini and Leonardo held a press conference to unveil their plans for reforming Italian football, starting with youth development. They were also in negotiations with Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti for the head coach position.

However, these plans quickly collapsed. On the evening of 27/7, Maldini and Leonardo both resigned after their third choice, Andrea Pirlo, was rejected. The reason for the rejection was Pirlo's ongoing contract as a global brand ambassador for a Russian betting website, which is on a prohibited list.

Speaking at a press conference today, FIGC President Giovanni Malago confirmed the accuracy of recent media reports. "There was a candidate who was chosen and almost reached an agreement based on the proposal from Maldini and advisor Leonardo. However, as the appointment process for Pirlo progressed, I decided I could not approve this candidate," Malago stated.

He explained that he was unaware of Pirlo's collaboration with a Russian bookmaker since 7/2025. According to Malago, even Maldini was not aware. "That was the factor that made us reconsider," he said, adding that the decision to part ways with Maldini and Leonardo was amicable, without conflict or dispute.

The head of the FIGC affirmed that Mancini's appointment does not alter the new direction for the role of technical director for Italy's national team system. Malago explained that following recent events, he needed a technical director who shared his vision for the national team's development. "Maldini and I did not share the same view on selecting Mancini. The person who shares that vision with me is Ranieri. He has accepted this position," Malago concluded.

Hong Duy (according to Football Italy)