Mancini Returns to Azzurri Amid FIGC Turmoil

Roberto Mancini is back in charge of the Azzurri. After weeks of confusion, resignations and a dramatic late U-turn, the FIGC have turned to a familiar face to steady the national team.

His return was confirmed in an official post on the federation’s social media channels, with Sky Italia reporting he will be presented on Wednesday. Mancini left Qatari side Al-Sadd only last month and now steps straight back into international football, this time to lead Italy again after his recent stint with Saudi Arabia.

This was not the plan. Not originally.

The search for a new head coach descended into internal turmoil when FIGC president Giovanni Malagò blocked Andrea Pirlo’s appointment at the last possible moment. Pirlo had been on the brink of taking the job, only for Malagò to intervene over the former midfielder’s ambassadorial role with a Russian betting company.

That last‑minute veto detonated inside the federation. Technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo walked away together, resigning after just 16 days in their posts. Two high-profile figures gone in an instant, and a coaching search suddenly stripped of its architects.

With time slipping away and options narrowing, the FIGC circled back to Mancini. A proven tournament coach, a known quantity, a man who understands the weight of the blue shirt and the politics around it.

Facing the media on Tuesday, Malagò laid out his reasoning and revealed a second major move: Claudio Ranieri is coming in as technical director.

“Time was running out and I thought the right person to be coach was Roberto Mancini. He's the best possible choice,” Malagò said, underlining the urgency of the decision. He stressed that the role of technical director “has not disappeared,” explaining that an amendment to the statute now allows another figure to also serve as president of Club Italia.

Malagò wanted someone to share responsibility for the Mancini call. That someone is Ranieri. The legendary former Leicester City boss has, as the president confirmed, already signed his commitment.

So Italy emerge from a month of internal strife with a heavyweight bench: Mancini back at the helm, Ranieri installed above him in a strategic role. The federation has gambled on experience, reputation and familiarity.

Now comes the real test: can this rebuilt axis restore order on the pitch as quickly as they’ve been asked to restore it off it?