1 month ago
Roberto Mancini Reappointed as Italy Manager
Italy's football federation wanted to bring back their winning ways after missing out on the World Cup.
They tried to hire big-name coaches like Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, but they said no.
Then they wanted Andrea Pirlo, but he had a deal with a Russian company, which the federation didn't like.
So, Paolo Maldini, who was in charge of finding the coach, stepped down.
In the end, they brought back Roberto Mancini, who had previously led Italy to win the Euros.
Now, Italy is getting ready for the Nations League and Euro qualifiers.
Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, leading to the resignation of federation president Gabriele Gravina.
Giovanni Malago took over as federation president and appointed Paolo Maldini as technical director.
Maldini approached Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola for the manager position, but both declined.
Andrea Pirlo was initially chosen but was vetoed by Malago due to his association with a Russian betting company.
Maldini resigned, and Malago appointed Roberto Mancini as the new manager.
- Who
- Roberto Mancini, Paolo Maldini, Giovanni Malago, Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, Andrea Pirlo
- What
- Roberto Mancini reappointed as Italy manager after a series of events and controversies
- Where
- Italy
- When
- 28 July 2025
- Why
- To revive Italy's football fortunes after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup
Maldini's Vision
Malago's Concerns
Coach Selection
Maldini's Vision
Maldini prioritized football credentials and approached top coaches like Ancelotti, Guardiola, and Pirlo.
Malago's Concerns
Malago vetoed Pirlo due to his commercial partnership with a Russian betting company, citing geopolitical concerns.
Key facts
- Current Manager
- Roberto Mancini
- Previous Manager
- Roberto Mancini (2018-2023)
- Technical Director
- Paolo Maldini
- Federation President
- Giovanni Malago
- Recent World Cup Qualification
- Failed to qualify for 2026 World Cup
- Last Major Trophy
- Euro 2020
- Controversial Partnership
- Pirlo's association with Fonbet
Quotes
Giovanni Malago
President of the Italian Olympic Committee and new FIGC president
“The professional collaboration that is the subject of recent controversy came about as part of my working experience in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively of a commercial and sporting nature. Attributing political meaning to this collaboration means attributing convictions to me that I have never expressed and that I do not hold.”
indianexpress.com
“I certainly wasn’t aware of this partnership (of Andrea Pirlo) with Fonbet that had been in place since July 2025. This discovery gave us pause for thought. I take full responsibility for halting the process of appointing Pirlo as head coach.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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