Roberto Mancini returns as Italy head coach, Claudio Ranieri named technical director
Roberto Mancini has been appointed as the head coach of Italy for a second time, a decision confirmed by Giovanni Malagò, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). Alongside Mancini’s return, Claudio Ranieri will assume the role of technical director, replacing Paolo Maldini.
Mancini previously managed the national team between 2018 and 2023. During his initial tenure, he led Italy to victory in the European Championship in 2021, securing the title with a penalty shootout win against England at Wembley. However, his first spell also saw the team fail to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and experience a challenging start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. In total, Mancini oversaw 58 matches for Italy during his first period as coach. His club management experience includes stints with Inter, Fiorentina, and Manchester City, where he spent three years and guided the club to their first Premier League title in the 2011-12 season.
Malagò expressed his belief that Mancini was the most suitable candidate for the head coach position. Mancini’s appointment follows a period of considerable activity within Italian football leadership. He steps into the role previously held by Gennaro Gattuso, who departed in April after Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.
Leadership Changes and Appointments
The selection of Mancini and Ranieri comes after a series of resignations and considerations for the key roles. The FIGC’s initial choice for head coach, Pep Guardiola, declined the offer last month. Subsequently, the appointment of Andrea Pirlo was blocked due to his connections with a Russian betting firm. This led to the resignations of former FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and his adviser, Leonardo, on Monday, after only 17 days in their positions.
Malagò highlighted the importance of having a shared vision for the national team’s direction, stating that Ranieri’s commitment was crucial in the decision-making process for the new coach. Ranieri, at 74 years old, is known for leading Leicester City to the Premier League title in 2016. In his new capacity, he will be responsible for overseeing technical operations and the development of elite football across Italy’s national team structures.
Mancini’s return for a second spell with the national team is notable, especially given his resignation from the post just three years prior under what were described as controversial circumstances. He had cited a disagreement with Malagò’s predecessor, Gabriele Gravina, regarding the national team’s setup. Following his departure, Mancini took on a significant deal to coach Saudi Arabia.
Recent Developments and Candidate Considerations
The confirmation of Mancini’s appointment by Malagò at an FIGC board meeting on Tuesday concludes what has been described as an acrimonious 72 hours in Italian football. Malagò publicly stated his conviction that Roberto Mancini should be the national team’s coach, citing “a whole series of reasons.” Mancini is expected to be formally unveiled on Wednesday.
The executive team appointed by Malagò after his election in June had resigned when their preferred candidate, Andrea Pirlo, did not receive approval. Maldini and Leonardo Araujo, who were the FIGC’s new technical director and strategic advisor, respectively, resigned after questions arose about Pirlo’s suitability due to his global ambassador role with a major Russian betting operator. Pirlo was informed on Sunday night that he was no longer a candidate for the coaching position, leading to Maldini and Leonardo’s swift departure.
Mancini has long been considered Malagò’s favoured candidate, with the two sharing a longstanding relationship and belonging to the same private sports club in Rome. Other candidates were also considered for the role, including Antonio Conte, who became available after leaving Napoli at the end of last season. Football figure Fabio Capello, in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, suggested that Conte should have been given the job over Mancini, expressing reservations about Mancini’s previous decision to leave the national team for the Saudi coaching role in 2023. Additionally, Giorgio Chiellini had ruled himself out of contention for the technical director position, confirming his intention to remain as chief club affairs officer at Juventus.
Source: theguardian.com
Amelia Stockwell is a Sports Reporter at News GB. She covered two Commonwealth Games for a national outlet. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of York and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in York, she runs with a local club and follows county cricket. “The quiet stories often matter most by the end of the season.”
