Roberto Mancini is reportedly on the verge of a second spell as the head coach of the Italy national team, a move that signals a clear direction for the Azzurri as they navigate a crucial rebuilding phase. The 61-year-old manager is expected to sign a contract extending until 2030, with an annual salary reported to be €2 million, according to various sources.
This anticipated return follows a period of significant introspection for Italian football. The national team experienced a notable setback by failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World CupCompetition·FIFA World Cup, marking their third consecutive absence from the global tournament. This outcome led to the departure of previous head coach Gennaro Gattuso in April 2026. Since then, Italy U21 head coach Silvio Baldini has been at the helm of the senior squad on an interim basis.
Italy's journey through the World Cup Qualification UEFA 1st Round Group I saw them finish second behind NorwayTeam·Norway. Key results in this phase included a 2-0 victory against Moldova on November 13, 2025, followed by a 1-4 loss to NorwayTeam·Norway on November 16, 2025. In the subsequent World Cup Qualification UEFA 2nd Round, the Azzurri secured a 2-0 win against Northern IrelandTeam·Northern Ireland on March 26, 2026, and a 1-1 draw at Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31, 2026. Despite these efforts, direct qualification remained elusive, and Italy was ultimately eliminated in the play-offs by Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Under interim coach Silvio Baldini, the team has shown signs of resilience in recent friendly matches. In June 2026, Italy achieved 1-0 victories against both Luxembourg and GreeceTeam·Greece, demonstrating a renewed defensive solidity. Overall, Italy has maintained strong recent form, winning three of their last five matches, scoring six goals and conceding five during this period. The team currently holds the 12th position in the FIFA World Rankings as of April 1, 2026.
Mancini's potential return is seen as an effort to stabilize the national team and guide them through this challenging period. His previous tenure saw Italy achieve significant success, including a UEFA European Championship title. The immediate competitive focus for the Azzurri now shifts to the UEFA Nations League, where they are placed in League A Group 1. Their upcoming fixtures include challenging encounters against BelgiumTeam·Belgium (home) on September 25, 2026, TurkiyeTeam·Turkiye (away) on September 28, 2026, France (away) on October 2, 2026, TurkiyeTeam·Turkiye (home) on October 5, 2026, and France (home) on November 12, 2026. These matches will provide an early test for Mancini's leadership and tactical approach as he aims to restore Italy's standing on the international stage.
Michela Cambiaghi playing for Italy during a FIFA World Cup qualifier match. ABACAPRESS/IMAGO
ABACAPRESS/IMAGOThis article was generated by AI (gemini-2.5-flash). Learn more.
