Roberto Mancini reappointed as Italy national team coach
Roberto Mancini has been named the coach of the Italy national team, with whom he won Euro 2021, according to Giovanni Malagò, president of the Italian Football Federation FIGC. Malagò stated that Mancini was the right person to lead the national team, which is facing a crisis after failing to qualify for the last three World Cups. Concurrently, Malagò announced the replacement of Paolo Maldini with Claudio Ranieri as the FIGC's technical director, following disagreements over the choice of coach. Maldini, appointed on July 11, had advocated for Andrea Pirlo, who withdrew his candidacy on Monday after significant controversy. Malagò expressed satisfaction with the new coach and technical director, confirming that Mancini and Ranieri would be presented to the press on Wednesday evening. Mancini had previously resigned from his position as Italy's coach in the summer of 2023 to join Saudi Arabia, at a time when Italy was struggling in the Euro 2024 qualification campaign. Mancini's appointment, a former coach of Manchester City and Inter Milan, comes 24 hours after Andrea Pirlo announced he was no longer a candidate to succeed Gennaro Gattuso as head of the Italian national team. Many voices had opposed the then-imminent appointment of the former AC Milan and Italy midfielder, citing his advertising contract with a Russian sports betting company and his perceived limited coaching experience.
