Mancini returns as coach of crisis-hit Italy

ROME — Roberto Mancini has been named the head coach of Italy's national team for a second time, tasked with revitalizing the Azzurri who have missed out on the last three World Cups, FIGC president Giovanni Malago said Tuesday.

Technical director Paolo Maldini, who reportedly threatened to resign if Mancini was appointed and stepped down from the role on Tuesday, has been replaced by Claudio Ranieri.

"Today we have a new coach and a new technical director," Malago told reporters, announcing another news conference with Mancini and Ranieri on Wednesday.

"I felt that the person who should be the Italian national football team's head coach was Roberto Mancini, for a whole series of considerations for which, as always, I honestly take responsibility."

Gennaro Gattuso resigned as Italy coach after its World Cup qualification playoff final defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March.

The 61-year-old Mancini was previously Italy boss from 2018 until 2023, leading it to the Euro 2020 title.

He has been preferred to another former national team coach, Antonio Conte.

Maldini had also apparently said he would resign if Conte was chosen, reportedly wanting Brazil-born former Italy midfielder Thiago Motta to be given the job.

Andrea Pirlo, who had been tipped to take charge, announced on Monday that he was no longer a candidate.

The former midfielder had come under heavy criticism over his controversial ties with a Russian sports-betting company and what detractors viewed as a limited coaching resume.

Mancini's first match in charge will be a Nations League match against Belgium on Sept 25 in a group which also includes Turkiye and France.

"The new coach will have two training sessions to prepare for the first game," Malago said, addressing reporters saying that Italy would have to change coach again if it is relegated in the Nations League.

"Since Italy lost the playoff to Bosnia, I don't think we gave passports to Lamine Yamal, (Kylian) Mbappe and (Harry) Kane, so are we being serious here?

"(We) must try to do the best with what we have, also safeguard our European ranking in a group against teams that were all at the World Cup, Turkiye, Belgium and France.

"If you want to be objective and serious, finishing fourth in that group is logical."

Mancini's appointment, however, remains divisive despite leading Italy to the Euro 2020 title and a 37-match unbeaten streak.

His abrupt resignation as Italy coach in the summer of 2023 to take charge of Saudi Arabia reportedly damaged his standing with many senior FIGC officials, particularly as the Azzurri were struggling in their qualifying campaign for Euro 2024.

Mancini left his job with the Saudi national side just 14 months later.

He was most recently in charge of Qatari club Al-Sadd, with which he signed a two-year deal last November.

Now, he will turn his attentions to the job of taking Italy back to the top of the international game.

The four-time world champion has not reached a World Cup since 2014, and has not even played a knockout stage match at the tournament since winning the 2006 final against France on penalties.