Roberto Mancini named Italy head coach for second time
Roberto Mancini has been appointed as the head coach of the Italian national football team for a second time, replacing Gennaro Gattuso. Claudio Ranieri will also join the federation as the new technical director to oversee operations.
Why it matters
This leadership change is a major effort to revitalize the Italian national team following repeated failures to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
Mancini coached the national side in 2018-2023 and returns to the job with Italy having failed to qualify for a FIFA World Cup since 2014.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Roberto Mancini is appointed Italy manager for a second time [File: Stringer/Reuters] By Reuters Published On 28 Jul 2026 28 Jul 2026 Former Italy manager Roberto Mancini will return for a second spell as national team coach, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Giovanni Malago said on Tuesday, while Claudio Ranieri will take over as technical director.
Mancini will replace Gennaro Gattuso, who left the post in April following a World Cup qualifying defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina, the third time in a row the four-times world champions had failed to reach the global showpiece event.
Malago announced the appointment during a Federal Council meeting.
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