The Italian Football Federation is close to finalizing a contract with veteran coach Roberto Mancini to lead the senior national team in the coming period.
The Italian Football Federation had placed the duo Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini at the top of the list of candidates to coach the Azzurri after backing out of an agreement with Andrea Pirlo.
Mancini close to coaching the Italian national team
In a surprising development, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano clarified that Mancini is close to returning to the role of coach of the Italian national team for a second stint.
Romano posted on his official account on platform "X": "Roberto Mancini has agreed to become the new coach of the Italian national team; he is returning soon."
The transfer market expert for players and coaches added: "A new project will begin after federation president Malago halted the Pirlo deal at the signing stage due to his cooperation with Russian brands."
Roberto Mancini coached the Italian national team for nearly five years, from May 2018 to August 2023.
Mancini led the Azzurri to win the European Championship title "Euro 2020" by defeating England in the final on penalties (3-2) after a 1-1 draw.
The Italian Football Federation withdrew from signing Andrea Pirlo after it emerged that he had worked with a Russian betting company, which conflicts with his country's stance toward Russia since the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Strong objections arose within the Italian parliament to the reports of appointing Pirlo as Azzurri coach, as they believe he did not consider his country's interests in his work with the Russian company.
