Roberto Mancini returns as Italy head coach, Claudio Ranieri named technical director
Roberto Mancini has been appointed as the head coach of Italy for a second time, as confirmed by Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malagò. This announcement also includes Claudio Ranieri taking on the role of technical director.
Mancini previously managed the national team between 2018 and 2023. During his first tenure, he guided Italy to victory in the European Championship in 2021, securing the title with a penalty shootout win against England at Wembley. However, his previous spell also saw the team fail to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and experience a slow start to Euro 2024 qualifying. In total, Mancini oversaw 58 matches for Italy during his initial period as coach. At club level, Mancini has managed teams such as Inter, Fiorentina, and Manchester City, where he spent three years and led them to their first Premier League title in the 2011-12 season.
Mancini succeeds Gennaro Gattuso, who departed from the position in April after Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. Malagò expressed his confidence in the appointment, stating, “Mancini is the coach. I believed that the best person to become head coach was Roberto Mancini.” Mancini’s appointment follows a period of considerable activity within Italian football, with his unveiling expected on Wednesday.
Leadership Changes at FIGC
The decision to bring Mancini back comes after a series of resignations and considerations for the coaching role. Pep Guardiola was reportedly the FIGC’s initial choice for the head coach position but declined the offer last month. The executive team appointed by Malagò after his election in June also resigned when their preferred candidate, Andrea Pirlo, did not receive approval.
Pirlo’s potential appointment as head coach was blocked due to his connections with a Russian betting firm. This development led to the resignations of former FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and his adviser, Leonardo, who left their roles on Monday after only 17 days in situ. Pirlo was informed on Sunday night that he was no longer a candidate for the position.
Ranieri, who is 74 years old, steps into the role of technical director, replacing Maldini. Ranieri is well-known for leading Leicester City to the Premier League title in 2016. In his new capacity, he will be responsible for overseeing technical operations and the development of elite football across Italy’s national team structures. Malagò emphasized the importance of Ranieri’s involvement in the decision-making process, stating, “I needed someone with whom I could share the decision on the coach, because without that shared view my reasoning would have carried little weight. So consequently, we have a new coach and a new technical director for Italy.”
Mancini’s Return and Previous Departure
Mancini’s return marks his second spell with the national team, having resigned from his previous post only three years ago under what were described as controversial circumstances. His departure was reportedly due to a disagreement with Malagò’s predecessor, Gabriele Gravina, concerning the national team’s setup. Following his resignation, Mancini swiftly took on a significant deal to become the coach of Saudi Arabia.
Despite his previous departure, Mancini has long been considered Malagò’s preferred candidate, with reports indicating a longstanding relationship between the two and their shared membership in a private sports club in Rome. The appointment was confirmed by Malagò at a FIGC board meeting on Tuesday, following what has been described as an acrimonious 72 hours in Italian football.
Other notable figures were also considered or mentioned in relation to the coaching and technical director roles. Antonio Conte was available after leaving Napoli at the end of last season. In an interview, Fabio Capello suggested that Conte should have been given the job over Mancini. Additionally, Giorgio Chiellini had ruled himself out of replacing Maldini as the FIGC’s technical director, stating his intention to remain in his role as chief club affairs officer at Juventus.
Malagò’s decision to appoint Ranieri as technical director was also driven by the need for a shared perspective on the coaching decision. He noted, “To close the circle, I thought it was right to identify someone with whom I could share the decision to become the new coach. This person is Claudio Ranieri, who has assured me of his commitment.”
Mancini is set to be officially unveiled on Wednesday.
Source: theguardian.com
Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”
