EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsItaly have turned to Roberto Mancini to guide the national team once again, with Mancini returning four years since being dismissed from the role."Time was running out and I felt that Roberto Mancini was the right person for the job as manager, for a whole list of reasons," Italy's Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malag said in a news conference. "He's the best possible choice."Malag announced Mancini as the new Italy coach on Tuesday, adding that Claudio Ranieri will become the new technical director after Paolo Maldini stepped down the previous day -- just 16 days after being appointed.Mancini, 61, led the Azzurri to the European Championship title in 2021 but shockingly resigned as Italy coach in August 2023, taking over Saudi Arabia's national team two weeks later.Andrea Pirlo, a 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, was the leading candidate to take on the job after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola both reportedly turned down the offer.However, his potential hiring was met by loud opposition because of his ties to Russian betting firm Fonbet. At the helm of United Arab Emirates club Dubai United since July 2025, Pirlo became a global ambassador of the Fonbet in October."There was a candidate who had been identified -- and, in some respects, agreed upon -- on the recommendation of sporting director Maldini and with the support of Leonardo," Malag said. "Not approving this candidacy was my decision and a judgement call. I'm sorry that some people have embellished this situation somewhat. There are no other interpretations of the facts."Maldini and Leonardo, who had backed Pirlo to become coach, resigned as Italy's technical director and team advisor on Monday.Malag added: "I was completely unaware of Pirlo's collaboration with Fonbet."Naturally, after I took a stand, another one emerged [from Maldini, Leonardo]. There was no conflict or controversy whatsoever with Maldini and Leonardo. Clearly, there was disappointment at what had happened, even before we'd begun. My stance on the matter was firm and clear, as was Maldini's. There was complete and amicable agreement that we should go our separate ways."Mancini had a five-year stint as head coach of Italy between 2018 and 2023, winning the European Championship but failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.He was subsequently in charge of the Saudi Arabia national team and most recently managed Al Sadd in Qatar.Giorgio Chiellini has been touted as the front-runner to succeed Maldini, although he said on arrival at the meeting that he is happy with his current role at Juventus.Italy have been without a coach since Gennaro Gattuso resigned after April's World Cup playoff loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina that saw the Azzurri miss out on a third consecutive men's World Cup.Information from PA and Associated Press was used in this report.
