"Sweetness" is back! Mancini returns to lead the Azzurri for a second time—has the Italian Football Federation made a solid move?

After a dramatic and turbulent coaching selection "soap opera," the suspense over Italy's new manager has finally been resolved. On July 28, Beijing time, Italian Football Federation interim president Malago officially announced that 61-year-old legendary coach Roberto Mancini will return to helm the Azzurri for a second stint. With the iconic "Here we go" from renowned transfer expert Romano, this familiar face who once led Italy back to the pinnacle of European football has officially returned, bringing a sigh of relief to countless Italian fans, who exclaim, "The sweetness of Italian football is back."

A Twisted Coaching Selection Saga

Mancini's return is nothing short of a "firefighting rescue." Previously, Italian FA technical director Maldini strongly recommended Pirlo, who was once extremely close to the position, with Romano even releasing a "Here we go" on July 24. However, just before the signing, the plot took a dramatic turn—Malago abruptly halted the deal due to compliance concerns over Pirlo endorsing a Russian betting brand. This move not only invalidated Pirlo's coaching plan but also led to Maldini and Leonardo resigning in anger, plunging the Italian FA's management into turmoil. After urgently restarting the coaching search, Malago quickly set his sights on Mancini, who had recently left Al Sadd in Qatar, and the two swiftly finalized the cooperation framework.

Glory and Regret of the Legendary Coach

The 61-year-old Mancini is no "new face" to the Azzurri. During his first tenure from 2018 to 2023, he took over a team that had just missed out on the 2018 World Cup. He not only led the squad to an impressive 37-match unbeaten run and 13 consecutive victories, but also defeated England on penalties in the 2021 European Championship final, securing Italy's second European title. However, his coaching career has also been accompanied by lingering regrets: in the 2022 World Cup European qualifiers playoffs, Italy unexpectedly lost to North Macedonia, failing to qualify for the World Cup for the second consecutive time. Many fans still lament that if Jorginho had converted those two crucial penalties, the fate of Italian football might have been completely rewritten.

"Securing the Floor": The Greatest Significance of Mancini's Return

Despite leaving with regrets, Mancini's return has garnered widespread support from public opinion. As fans passionately discuss: "The sweetness of Italian football is back! No matter what the ceiling is, Mancini should at least secure the floor." In the current situation of missing three consecutive World Cups and lacking a new generation of talent, the Italian FA has clearly abandoned a lengthy rebuilding process and chosen the safest "firefighting" solution. Mancini has an in-depth understanding of the Italian football system, and key players like Donnarumma and Barella were all promoted by him. This natural chemistry is an advantage that no new coach can match.

It is reported that Mancini's contract for this return targets the 2030 World Cup, with the core mission being to break the Azzurri's curse of consecutive absences from the tournament. Additionally, the FA is expected to soon announce Ranieri as technical director, while Chiellini may take over from Maldini, with a new management structure set to take shape.

On September 26, Mancini will make his debut in his return, leading the team against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League. This time, can the 61-year-old Mancini make up for past regrets and guide Italy to secure a ticket to the 2030 World Cup? Let's wait and see.