Roberto Mancini has been reappointed as head coach of the Italy national football team, with a mission to revive the Azzurri's fortunes after their absence from the last three World Cups.
The 61-year-old, who previously led Italy to their Euro 2020 triumph, took over following the resignation of Gennaro Gattuso after Italy's playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March.
Goals and Vision
Speaking at his unveiling press conference in Rome, Mancini expressed his ambition to secure major trophies once again. "I hope to win another trophy, maybe two," he said. "My goal is to make sure the team immediately gets back to winning ways."
Mancini emphasized trust in young, talented players within the squad and pledged to rebuild a team that fans will fall in love with anew.
Challenges Ahead
Italy's upcoming fixtures include a Nations League match against Belgium on September 25, followed by games against Turkey and France. Mancini described these matches as crucial for assessing the team's strengths and weaknesses.
Background and Controversy
- Mancini's first tenure as Italy coach lasted from 2018 to 2023, ending abruptly when he accepted the Saudi Arabia national team job.
- His departure was seen as a blow to the Italian Football Federation, especially amid struggles during Euro 2024 qualifiers.
- He left Saudi Arabia after 14 months and most recently coached Qatari club Al-Sadd.
- Claudio Ranieri joins as technical director, replacing Paolo Maldini, who reportedly threatened resignation over Mancini's return.
Italy's Recent Performance
The four-time world champions have failed to qualify for World Cups since 2014 and have struggled to progress beyond the group stages in recent tournaments, with their sole major success being the Euro 2020 title won on penalties against England.
Mancini also boasts a strong club coaching record, having won three consecutive Serie A titles with Inter Milan and guiding Manchester City to their first English league title in over four decades.
