Italy appoints Mancini as coach, Ranieri as technical director to revive national team

Italy's national football team is undergoing a significant leadership change in an attempt to recover from a prolonged crisis. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced the return of Roberto Mancini as the head coach and the appointment of Claudio Ranieri as technical director, signaling a new direction for the struggling 'Azzurra'.

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Today we have a new coach and a new technical director.

Giovanni Malagò, the president of FIGC, expressed optimism about these appointments, hoping they will mark the end of the national team's recurring struggles, particularly their failure to qualify for the last three World Cups. The federation had explored other high-profile options, including an attempt to recruit Pep Guardiola, who was recently with Manchester City. However, Guardiola was not secured.

Following the unsuccessful pursuit of Guardiola, attention turned to Andrea Pirlo, a celebrated former Italian international. Pirlo's potential appointment faced public scrutiny due to a sponsorship deal with a Russian betting company and his limited coaching experience. Ultimately, Pirlo withdrew his candidacy, citing that the decision had become a public controversy unrelated to his sporting merits.

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I have assessed that the person who should be the coach of the national team (...) is Roberto Mancini.

This tumultuous period also saw the resignation of Paolo Maldini, who had served as the federation's technical director. Maldini's departure stemmed from disagreements over the selection of the national team coach. Malagò confirmed that Mancini, who previously led Italy to a Euro 2021 victory, and Ranieri would be formally presented soon. Mancini's previous tenure ended abruptly in the summer of 2023, leaving a mixed legacy within the federation and among fans.

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I have lamented that a decision based on sporting criteria has quickly become a public controversy in which intentions and ideas that do not reflect my personality have been attributed to me.