Mancini returns as Italy coach, vows to make the Azzurri great again

Roberto Mancini is back at the helm of the Italian national football team, embarking on his second tenure with a clear mission: to restore the Azzurri's glory. Having previously led Italy from 2018 to 2023, a period marked by a remarkable 37-game unbeaten streak, Mancini's return comes after Italy's failure to qualify for the last three World Cups and a trophy drought since their Euro 2020 triumph under his guidance.

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We signed a four-year contract, and I hope I can win an important trophy, or even two, and then stay on beyond that as well, if possible.

Mancini has signed a four-year contract and expressed his ambition to secure "one, or even two" major trophies, ideally extending his stay beyond the contract. He acknowledged the need to win back the affection of Italian fans, particularly after his abrupt departure in 2023 for a coaching role in Saudi Arabia. "I will try to make sure the team is so beautiful and plays so well that the fans fall in love with it, and perhaps forgive me for what happened," the 61-year-old stated, hoping to mend the rift caused by his exit.

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I will try to make sure the team is so beautiful and plays so well that the fans fall in love with it, and perhaps forgive me for what happened. That's what I hope for.

The coach conveyed confidence in the existing pool of Italian talent, emphasizing the need for national clubs to prioritize and provide more playing time for younger players. His return follows a setback in plans to appoint Andrea Pirlo, which were derailed due to Pirlo's connections with a Russian betting firm, leading to the resignations of key figures Paolo Maldini and Leonardo from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). The FIGC has also appointed Claudio Ranieri as technical director to oversee development across national team structures.

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There are two things I want the most. First, getting Italian fans to fall in love with the national team again. Second, making sure that children like my 12-year-old nephew, who have never seen Italy play at a World Cup, get the chance to do so.

Mancini articulated his dual objectives: reigniting the fans' passion for the national team and ensuring that younger generations, who have never witnessed Italy at a World Cup, get to experience it. His first challenge will be the Nations League matches against Belgium on September 25 in Rome and Turkey on October 5 in Bologna. He anticipates these games will provide a crucial measure of the team's capabilities and highlight areas requiring urgent attention, acknowledging the difficulty of the group stage.

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They will be important matches. We'll immediately get a real measure of our strength and identify the areas where we need to improve. In any case, it will be a difficult group. It will be difficult for us, but it will be difficult for the other teams as well.