Roberto Mancini Shockingly Replaces Pirlo as Italy Manager

Roberto Mancini is back as Italy manager after Andrea Pirlo betting controversy costs him the job.

Roberto Mancini Returns to Lead Italy Again

Roberto Mancini is back as Italy head coach after being appointed for a second time by the Italian Football Federation.

According to BBC Sport, the 61-year-old returns just one day after Andrea Pirlo withdrew from the race for the job. Pirlo pulled out following controversy surrounding his links to a Russian betting company. Technical director Paolo Maldini also resigned after the decision not to appoint Pirlo.

Italy have been without a permanent coach since Gennaro Gattuso left in April. The Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, extending a difficult period for one of football's biggest nations.

FIGC president Giovanni Malago said Mancini was the right choice to lead the team again.

"I believed that the best person to become head coach was Roberto Mancini," he said.

Mancini is no stranger to the Italy job. He managed the national team from 2018 to 2023 and guided them to victory at Euro 2020, beating England in the final at Wembley.

During his first spell, Italy also set a world record by going 37 matches unbeaten. However, that success was followed by disappointment after they failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, leading to Mancini's resignation in 2023.

Since leaving Italy, Mancini coached Saudi Arabia before taking charge of Al Sadd in Qatar. He won the Qatar Stars League but left the club in June after failing to win other major trophies.

Italy have not played at a World Cup since 2014. They have now missed three straight tournaments, something many fans never imagined possible.

Mancini's biggest task is clear. He must rebuild confidence, develop a new generation of players and make sure Italy return to the biggest stage in world football.

His second spell begins with Nations League matches against Belgium on 25 September and Turkey three days later. Many Italian fans will hope the man who brought Euro 2020 glory can restore the country's pride once again.