Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Giovanni Malago has officially announced that Roberto Mancini is set to be reappointed as the head coach of the Italian national football team.

The 61-year-old manager returns to lead the Azzurri for a second term, three years after resigning from the same position under controversial circumstances.

Speaking at an FIGC board meeting on Tuesday, Malago confirmed that the federation is finalizing terms with Mancini.

“I am talking to Mancini because he is the new coach,” Malago stated. “We’re waiting for him to sign.”

Mancini previously led Italy to European Championship glory in 2021, securing the country’s first Euro title in over 50 years. However, he stepped down in 2023 following a disagreement with former FIGC chief Gabriele Gravina regarding the setup of the national team. Shortly after his resignation, Mancini signed a lucrative contract to coach the Saudi Arabia national team, before later spending a year managing Qatari club Al Sadd.

Italy Football Chaos amid Pirlo Rejection

Mancini’s impending return comes on the heels of a chaotic 72 hours within the Italian Football Federation.

Following Malago’s election as FIGC president in June, his executive team initially considered former national team midfielder Andrea Pirlo for the head coaching job. However, Pirlo was ruled out of contention on Sunday night due to concerns regarding his role as a global ambassador for a Russian betting company.

The decision triggered immediate fallout within the federation. Newly appointed technical director Paolo Maldini and strategic advisor Leonardo Araujo both resigned from their posts, leaving their positions just 17 days after being appointed.

Mancini has long maintained a close relationship with Malago, with both belonging to the same private sports club in Rome. However, his return has drawn mixed opinions within Italian football circles.

Former England and Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, questioned the appointment based on the manner of Mancini’s exit in 2023. While Capello acknowledged Mancini’s tactical abilities, he described his previous resignation to take the Saudi job as “really bad”.

Meanwhile, former Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini publicly ruled himself out of taking over Maldini’s vacated technical director position, confirming he will remain in his executive role as chief club affairs officer at Juventus. Veteran manager Claudio Ranieri is now expected to step into the technical director role for the national team.

Roberto Manicini 1st Stint with Italy

Roberto Mancini inherited an Italy side at one of its lowest points following the 2018 World Cup qualification failure and rebuilt it into European champions within three years. He revived the Azzurri’s identity and produced one of the most memorable periods in modern Italian football. While the failure to reach the 2022 World Cup and his abrupt departure tarnished the ending, his first spell remains defined by UEFA EURO 2020 glory, a 37-match unbeaten streak, and the successful reconstruction of one of world football’s traditional powerhouses.