Official: Baldini returns to Italy U21s as FIGC confirms youth coaching set-up
Quick summary
The FIGC has officially confirmed the coaching set-up for Italy's youth teams, with Baldini returning to his role within the Italy U21 staff.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceThe FIGC has confirmed that Silvio Baldini has now officially returned to his regular role as head coach of the Italy U21 side following his interim spell in charge of the men’s senior team, and has also confirmed the rest of the coaching set-up for the other Azzurri age groups.
Following the departure of former CT Gennaro Gattuso earlier this year, Baldini led Italy into two international friendlies at the beginning of June, against Luxembourg and Greece. He named a squad consisting almost entirely of players he knew from the U21 side , leaving the vast majority of the regular senior squad at home in the wake of their World Cup disappointment.
Roberto Mancini has recently been re-appointed as the head coach of the senior Italy national team, and on Thursday, it was confirmed that he will be supported by the likes of Gabriele Oriali, Leonardo Bonucci, Massimo Maccarone and Antonio Gagliardi.
Click here to see the recently-confirmed Italy coaching staff for the men’s senior team.
Italy confirm full coaching staff for men’s youth teams The FIGC has now confirmed the full list of coaching staff for the Azzurri youth sides as well.
CREMONA – OCTOBER 14: Coach Silvio Baldini reacts during the UEFA Euro U21 Qualification match between Italy and Armenia at Stadio Giovanni Zini on October 14, 2025 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images) Baldini has returned to his regular role in charge of the U21s and will continue to be supported in that role by former Italy international and Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli, serving as assistant head coach.
There will be no change to the U20 set-up either: Carmine Nunziata will continue to serve as head coach following his brief spell as interim head coach of the U21s while Baldini was based with the senior team.
Nunziata will be supported by Luigi Di Biagio as an assistant and will also be joined by former U19s assistant Christian Maggio, who has been promoted up by an age group.
DUNAJSKA STREDA, SLOVAKIA – JUNE 22: Head coach Carmine Nunziata of U21 Italy reacts on the sideline during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025 Quarter-Final match against Germany at DAC Arena on June 22, 2025 in Dunajska Streda, Slovakia. (Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images) The U19s have a new head coach in Massimiliano Favo, who replaces Alberto Bollini following his promotion to the men’s senior side. Favo had led the U18s side to a third-place finish at the U17 World Cup in Qatar.
Daniele Fanceschini will now serve as head coach of the Italy U18s. Manuel Pasqual has been promoted to U17s head coach, having previously served as CT of the U16s.
Giovanni Costantino is the new head coach of the U16s. Enrico Battisti remains in charge of the U15s, as does Luigi Milani with the U14s.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: Gianfranco Zola is seen prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between England and Italy at Wembley Stadium on October 17, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Gianfranco Zola has also recently been appointed as Italy’s Youth Activities Project Co-ordinator. Maurizio Viscidi is the overall co-ordinator of the Italy youth set-up.
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What happened
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has officially confirmed its youth coaching structure, announcing that Baldini will return to his position with the Italy U21 setup. The confirmation finalizes the staff around the U21 head coach, providing clarity ahead of upcoming youth international fixtures. This official announcement removes any prior uncertainty around the technical staff composition for the Azzurrini's next campaign.
Chance analysis
Confirming the youth coaching set-up provides stability and clarity for Italy U21's preparation cycle, which matters for scouting and development pipelines feeding into the senior Nazionale. A returning figure like Baldini signals continuity in the existing tactical and methodological framework. From a prediction standpoint, this is background context rather than a match-altering development, but it does lock in the staff identity for upcoming U21 qualifiers and tournaments.
Provides coaching stability and clarity for Italy U21s with no expected disruption to team performance or availability.
Use the confirmed Italy U21 staff composition as stable context for any U21 match predictions; no tactical or availability disruption expected.