Roberto Mancini officially returns as Italy manager

The Italian Football Federation has settled the debate surrounding the identity of the new coaching staff for the Italy national team. Roberto Mancini has officially returned to lead the Azzurri, while Claudio Ranieri has been appointed as the federation's technical director.

Federation president Giovanni Malagò confirmed Mancini's appointment on Tuesday, describing him as the best person to lead the national team. This marks a return for the veteran coach, who stepped down in 2023 to manage the Saudi Arabia national team.

Mancini arrives back with a strong track record from his previous five-year tenure, most notably leading Italy to glory at Euro 2020 after a penalty shootout victory over England. The federation has turned to Ranieri to provide administrative and technical stability following a period of significant upheaval.

The move follows recent organisational challenges, including the collapse of the Andrea Pirlo deal and the departures of Paolo Maldini and Leonardo. With Mancini in the dugout and Ranieri in the front office, the federation aims to launch a new project to restore Italy's standing on the European and world stage.