The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced on July 28, 2026 the appointment of Roberto Mancini as head coach of the national team, following a chaotic recruitment process. The original plan was to appoint Andrea Pirlo, but it was abandoned due to his commercial ties with Fonbet, a Russian betting company, in a geopolitical context shaped by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Mancini, who had led Italy to Euro 2020 victory, returns after coaching Al-Sadd in Qatar until June 2026. The federation had also considered Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti before turning to its former manager. Mancini’s return is explained by converging internal difficulties at the FIGC, including tensions involving technical director Paolo Maldini.
Source: Read the original article
