Roberto Mancini has promised to restore Italy’s place among football’s top nations after returning for a second spell as head coach.
Italy have missed the last three FIFA World Cups. They have also not won a major title since lifting the Euro 2020 trophy under Mancini.
The 61 year old signed a four year contract and hopes to stay even longer.
“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 said during his first news conference after returning.
Mancini coached Italy from 2018 to 2023. During that period, the team went 37 matches without defeat. It was a national record until Spain broke it earlier this year.
He admitted many fans were disappointed when he left the national team in 2023 to coach Saudi Arabia. His departure came only days after he received extra duties with Italy’s Under 21 and Under 20 teams.
“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,” he said.
Mancini believes Italy have enough talented players to build a strong squad. He also urged Italian clubs to give more opportunities to young footballers.
The Italian Football Federation turned to Mancini after plans to appoint Andrea Pirlo collapsed because of his links to a Russian betting company. The failed appointment also led to the resignations of Paolo Maldini and Leonardo from their federation roles.
The federation also appointed Claudio Ranieri as technical director. He will oversee technical operations and player development across Italy’s national teams.
Ranieri shared his hopes for the future of Italian football.
“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,” Ranieri said.
Mancini will begin his second spell with a UEFA Nations League match against Belgium in Rome on September 25.
Italy will then host Turkey in Bologna on October 5.
“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,” Mancini said.
