Roberto Mancini is heading back to the Italy dugout for a second spell, with the former Manchester City boss handed the task of rebuilding the four-time world champions after yet another failed World Cup qualifying campaign.Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Giovanni Malago confirmed Mancini’s appointment on Tuesday, while veteran manager Claudio Ranieri will take over as the federation’s new technical director.Mancini replaces Gennaro Gattuso, who stepped down in April following Italy’s World Cup qualifying defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The result confirmed a third consecutive failure for the Azzurri to reach football’s biggest international tournament.Mancini returns to Italy jobMalago announced the decision during a Federal Council meeting before formally confirming Mancini’s return at a press conference.“I believed that the best person to become head coach was Roberto Mancini,” Malago told reporters.The appointment brings the 61-year-old back to a role in which he enjoyed one of the defining successes of his managerial career.Mancini led Italy to the European Championship title in 2021, completing a remarkable turnaround for a national side that had failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.During his first stint, Mancini took charge of Italy for 58 matches and built a side that went on an extended unbeaten run before lifting the European trophy.His second spell, however, begins under considerable pressure, with Italian football searching for answers after another damaging World Cup qualification failure.Italy turn to proven winner after World Cup setbackMancini brings considerable experience at both international and club level.Before his success with Italy, he managed Fiorentina and Inter Milan and later took charge of Manchester City.His time in England produced one of the most dramatic moments in Premier League history when City won the 2011-12 title, their first of the Premier League era.That track record appears to have convinced the FIGC that Mancini is the right figure to lead another Italian revival.Guardiola turns down Italy jobMancini was not initially the FIGC’s preferred candidate.Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had been the federation’s first choice for the Italy job but rejected the opportunity earlier this month.Andrea Pirlo was another leading candidate. However, his proposed appointment was blocked because of his links to a Russian betting company.The disagreement over Pirlo contributed to significant changes behind the scenes at the FIGC.Former Italy and AC Milan great Paolo Maldini resigned as technical director on Monday, while adviser Leonardo also stepped down after their preferred candidate was prevented from taking the job.Claudio Ranieri handed key FIGC roleAlongside Mancini’s return, the FIGC has turned to another of Italy’s most experienced managers to reshape its football structure.Claudio Ranieri, 74, has been appointed technical director, succeeding Maldini.Ranieri will oversee technical operations and elite football development across Italy’s national-team system, giving him a broader role than simply working with Mancini and the senior squad.The veteran Italian coach has managed several major European clubs during a career spanning decades, but remains best known for masterminding Leicester City’s astonishing Premier League triumph in 2016.Mancini-Ranieri partnership to lead Italy rebuildMalago indicated that appointing a technical director who shared his vision for the national team was an important part of the decision-making process.“I needed someone with whom I could share the decision on the coach, because without that shared view my reasoning would have carried little weight,” he said.“So consequently, today we have a new coach and a new technical director for Italy.”The Mancini-Ranieri partnership now faces the difficult task of restoring confidence in one of international football’s most decorated teams.Mancini has already delivered European glory once. His second Italy tenure will be judged on whether he can engineer another revival and put the Azzurri back among international football’s elite.