Roberto Mancini named Italy coach, Claudio Ranieri appointed technical director FAST-MOVING
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced that Roberto Mancini has been re‑appointed as head coach of the Italy national team. The appointment comes as the Azzurri seek to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after missing the finals in 2018, 2022 and the upcoming 2026 edition. FIGC president Giovanni Malagò said “time was running out” and justified the choice, adding that a press conference with Mancini and Claudio Ranieri would be held the next day. Ranieri, 74, was named technical director of the FIGC, taking over after Paolo Maldini resigned just 16 days post‑appointment. The federation had briefly considered other candidates – Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Andrea Pirlo – but Pirlo was dropped over a political controversy linked to a Russian betting sponsor. Gennaro Gattuso had earlier resigned following a playoff loss to Bosnia‑Herzegovina. Mancini previously coached Italy from 2018 to 2023, winning Euro 2020, before a brief stint with Saudi Arabia and a league title with Qatar’s Al‑Sadd. The new coaching team faces the immediate task of rebuilding the squad and restoring Italy’s place among Europe’s elite.
Entities: Catania · Claudio Ranieri · FIGC · Giovanni Malagò · Italian Football Federation (FIGC) · Italy national football team · Paolo Maldini · Roberto Mancini
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ranieri coached Leicester City to a Premier League title in 2016. (Article 3)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The appointment was decided by FIGC president Giovanni Malagò. (Article 3)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Roberto Mancini is the head coach (commissario tecnico) of the Italian national team. (Articles 2 and 3)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Italy missed qualification for two consecutive World Cups prior to the appointment. (Article 3)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Claudio Ranieri played for Catania from 1982 to 1984. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ranieri will coordinate the senior national team, youth national teams and the federation’s technical project. (Article 3)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The appointment is intended to help Italy qualify for Euro 2032. (Article 3)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Claudio Ranieri was appointed technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). (All articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Roberto Mancini was appointed head coach of the Italy men’s national football team. (all three articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Italy will compete in Nations League Group A with France, Belgium and Turkey. (new)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Andrea Pirlo’s prospective appointment as Italy coach was abandoned after political and media controversy. (all three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Giovanni Malagò, president of the FIGC, was criticised for the handling of the coaching crisis. (all three articles)