Roberto Mancini Returns as Italy Head Coach for Second Time
Italy’s football federation has announced that Roberto Mancini will be named head coach once again. According to sources close to the matter, Mancini is set to replace Gennaro Gattuso after a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign.
Mancini’s second stint at the helm of Italy began in 2018 and ended abruptly when he was sacked following a defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina in April. The Italian national team has struggled to qualify for major tournaments since then, with their last appearance being in the 2020 European Championship.
The appointment comes after Gennaro Gattuso left his post as Italy’s head coach in April this year. His departure marked the third time in a row that Italy had failed to reach the World Cup finals under his leadership. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President, Giovanni Malago, announced Mancini’s appointment during a Federal Council meeting.
Mancini has a long and successful history with Italy, having guided them to European Championship glory in 2021. He led Italy in 58 matches during his first spell as head coach and also managed Inter Milan, Fiorentina, and Manchester City before taking the reins at Inter Milan from 2018-2022.
Mancini’s appointment is seen as a positive development for Italian football, which has been plagued by poor performances on the international stage. The former manager will be tasked with restoring Italy to its former glory and leading them back into contention for major tournaments.
The FIGC technical director, Paolo Maldini, and adviser Leonardo resigned from their roles in response to Andrea Pirlo’s appointment being blocked due to his ties to a Russian betting firm. However, the decision has been reversed after it was reported that Mancini will be named head coach once again.
Mancini is expected to take over as Italy’s head coach shortly, with his first match under new management scheduled for June 2024.
Based on reporting from Al Jazeera.
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