Mancini reportedly confident of returning as Italy coach
Quick summary
Reports in Italy claim Roberto Mancini believes he is a leading candidate to return as Italy head coach amid major FIGC upheaval. The possibility appears stronger if Giovanni Malagò becomes federation president.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceThere are growing reports that Al-Sadd tactician Roberto Mancini is confident he’ll be called back as Italy coach, especially if Giovanni Malagò becomes FIGC President.
Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News – Free Trial – Click Here The failure to qualify for a third consecutive edition of the World Cup is prompting a radical reshuffle of the authorities in Italian football , with Federation President Gabriele Gravina and delegation chief Gigi Buffon tending their resignations today.
Gennaro Gattuso is widely expected to follow suit, so the search is on for both a new coach and a new President of the FIGC.
Mancini eager for Italy return Former Italy and Saudi Arabia head coach Roberto Mancini According to Calciomercato , figures close to Mancini say he is confident of being at the top of the list, especially if Malagò is chosen to lead the Federation.
Currently under contract with Al-Sadd after a brief experience as coach of the Saudi Arabia team, Mancini had won the EURO 2020 tournament during his spell with Italy.
That ran from 2018 to 2023, when he abruptly resigned just a couple of weeks before the EURO 2024 qualifying campaign began.
Head coach of Italy Roberto Mancini, Team manager Gabriele Oriali and Assistant coach Alberico Evani look on during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group A match between Italy and Wales at Olimpico Stadium on June 20, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) The presence of Malagò would be crucial, as he was President of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) when he had to take temporary control over the FIGC because it was unable to elect a new President in 2018.
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What happened
Italian football is facing a leadership reshuffle after the national team's failure to qualify for a third straight World Cup, with FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and delegation chief Gigi Buffon reportedly stepping down. Gennaro Gattuso is also widely expected to leave, opening the search for a new coach. According to Calciomercato, people close to Roberto Mancini say he is confident of returning to the Italy job, particularly if Giovanni Malagò takes over the federation. Mancini previously led Italy to the EURO 2020 title before resigning in 2023.
Chance analysis
This matters because Italy are entering a reset phase at both federation and coaching level, which can materially affect squad selection, tactical direction, and medium-term national-team performance. Mancini's possible return would reintroduce a coach with a proven international track record, but the report remains conditional on wider political changes inside the FIGC.
The likely effect is continued short-term uncertainty for Italy, with a potentially stabilizing managerial appointment if Mancini is officially brought back.
Treat this as a meaningful but still unconfirmed managerial signal that could shape Italy's tactical and selection outlook once federation leadership is settled.