Roberto Mancini Returns as Italy Manager After Pirlo Controversy

Mancini to Lead Italian National Team After Controversies

Roberto Mancini has been appointed as the new head coach of Italy, following a tumultuous period that included Andrea Pirlo's resignation and controversy over his connections with a Russian betting company. This decision was announced by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malago on Tuesday.

The move comes just a day after Pirlo ruled himself out of contention for the job, prompting technical director Paolo Maldini to resign as well. With Gennaro Gattuso leaving his post in April after Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, the pressure on the national team was immense.

During his first stint from 2018 to 2023, Mancini led Italy to a European Championship victory in 2020 and a world record unbeaten run of 37 games. However, the team’s inability to qualify for the 2022 World Cup via play-offs marked his exit from the role.

Clues on his return

Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti were both approached by FIGC about the Italy job before they settled on Mancini. In addition to leading Manchester City to their first Premier League title in 2012, Mancini has also had successful stints at Lazio and Inter Milan.

Italy will begin their Nations League campaign against Belgium on September 25 before traveling to face Turkey three days later. The team now gets down to business with a renewed leadership, hoping for better results in upcoming competitions like the UEFA Euro 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Mancini return as Italy manager?

Giovanni Malago, Italian Football Federation president, believed that Roberto Mancini was