Roberto Mancini makes shock return as Italy head coach after Andrea Pirlo controversy

Mancini to make surprise return

The FIGC have reached an agreement for Mancini to return as

Roberto Mancini è il nuovo Commissario Tecnico della Nazionale 🇮🇹💙#Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/PioBpZX6TS— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) July 28, 2026

Federation faces internal chaos

The managerial search was plunged into internal turmoil after FIGC president

Malago explained the decision to turn to Mancini when facing the media on Tuesday, and confirmed that legendary former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri is also coming aboard as technical director. He said: "Time was running out and I thought the right person to be coach was Roberto Mancini. He's the best possible choice. The role of technical director, not to be confused with other roles, has not disappeared. This is precisely why we approved an amendment to the statute that also makes another person possible president of Club Italia. I needed someone to share the choice of Roberto Mancini as coach, and that person is Claudio Ranieri, who signed his commitment a few minutes ago."

Failed talks with Guardiola

The federation had

What happens next?

Mancini will be charged with reshaping the squad ahead of his second