意大利足球协会宣布重新任命罗伯托·曼奇尼为国家队主教练[1][2]。现年61岁的曼奇尼将重返这个职位，此前他已于2023年8月卸任该职务[1]。这一任命是在前任主教练詹纳罗·加图索因意大利队连续第三次未能获得世界杯参赛资格而在4月辞职后做出的[1][2]。
曼奇尼的任命背景复杂。技术总监保罗·马尔蒂尼在仅任职16天后已辞职[1]，而之前竞争主教练职位的安德烈亚·皮尔洛因与俄罗斯博彩公司的关联争议在周一退出竞选[2]。克劳德·拉涅里将接替马尔蒂尼担任新的技术总监[1][2]。
曼奇尼曾于2018年至2023年间执教意大利队，期间率队创造了37场不败的世界纪录，并在2021年赢得欧洲杯冠军，在温布利击败英格兰[1][2]。意大利自2014年后未参加世界杯决赛[2]。意大利队的下一场比赛将于9月25日主场对阵比利时[2]，随后在9月和10月进行欧洲国家联赛，对手还包括土耳其和法国[1]。
The Italian Football Federation has appointed Roberto Mancini as head coach of the national team, marking his return to the position following Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.[1][2] Giovanni Malagò, the federation's president, announced the decision on Tuesday.[1] Mancini, 61, previously led Italy to victory at Euro 2020 and will now attempt to restore the squad after the departure of his predecessor Gennaro Gattuso, who stepped down in April.[1][2]
Mancini's appointment comes after Andrea Pirlo withdrew from consideration on Monday due to controversy surrounding his associations with a Russian betting company.[2] Paolo Maldini, the technical director, resigned along with adviser Leonardo following the decision not to appoint Pirlo, having held the position for only 16 days.[1][2] Claudio Ranieri will now assume the role of technical director.[1][2]
The 61-year-old coach previously managed Italy from 2018 to 2023, a period during which he led the team on a 37-match unbeaten streak and guided them to Euro 2020 success with a victory over England at Wembley.[1][2] Mancini stepped down from the position in August 2023 and subsequently took charge of Saudi Arabia's national team before returning to Italy.[1] Italy will begin its Nations League campaign in September and October, facing Belgium, Turkey, and France, with a home fixture against Belgium scheduled for September 25 to open Euro qualifying.[1][2]