Football NewsDaily Mail FootballUnverified source· 28 Jul 2026
Mancini returns as Italy boss after Pirlo blocked
Italy turn back to the man who beat England in the Euro 2021 final after Pirlo's Russian betting links derail his appointment.
R. Mancini
coach
Appointed
Roberto Mancini
Previous spell
Led Italy to Euro 2021 glory
Blocked candidate
Andrea Pirlo
Reason
Links to Russian betting firm
Technical director
Paolo Maldini resigned
What happened. Roberto Mancini has been reappointed as Italy head coach after Andrea Pirlo was blocked from the role due to sponsorship ties with a Russian betting company.
- Mancini previously won Euro 2021 with Italy.
- Pirlo's appointment was blocked by FIGC president Giovanni Malago.
- Paolo Maldini resigned as technical director in protest.
“There was a candidate who had been defined and agreed upon, chosen by Maldini and Leonardo, but... I was unable to give the final approval.”
— Giovanni Malago
Mancini returns with Claudio Ranieri as his assistant, ending a chaotic search for Italy's next manager.
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