Roberto Mancini is set to return as head coach of Italy for a second spell, taking charge of the four-time world champions after weeks of upheaval within the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) following the collapse of Andrea Pirlo's expected appointment.
FIGC President Giovanni Malago informed the federation's council of the decision on Tuesday, according to Italian news agency ANSA, with formal confirmation expected in the coming days.
Mancini, who is currently without a club after leaving Qatar's Al-Sadd, returns to the national team he guided to UEFA Euro 2020 glory but also led through one of the country's most disappointing periods, failing to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup before resigning in 2023 to take over Saudi Arabia.
His return comes after Italy's disastrous failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, marking the first time a former world champion has missed three consecutive editions of the tournament following earlier absences in 2018 and 2022.
The Azzurri finished second behind Norway in their qualifying group before defeating Northern Ireland in the playoff semifinals. Their hopes of reaching the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada ended with a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff final in Zenica.
