After a three-year absence, Mancini returns as Italy's head coach, having led the team to a European Championship title while also failing to qualify for the World Cup.

On the evening of July 28 Beijing time, Italian Football Federation acting president Malago announced that the 61-year-old Mancini will once again coach the Italian national team: "I am in communication with him, hoping he will accept the position of new head coach. We are waiting to sign the contract." Transfer expert Romano subsequently confirmed that Mancini has agreed to become the new head coach of Italy.

This will be the second time the 61-year-old Mancini leads Italy. During his first stint, he took over as Italy's head coach in May 2018, managing 61 matches with 39 wins, 13 draws, and 9 losses, winning the Euro 2020 (actually held in 2021) but also failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

In August 2023, Mancini stepped down from the Italian men's national team. During his tenure, he led the team in 58 matches, achieving 38 wins, 12 draws, and 8 losses, with a win rate of 65.5%.

Afterwards, Mancini coached the Saudi Arabian men's national team with a tax-free annual salary of 25 million euros, but was dismissed after just one year. In November 2025, he became the head coach of Qatar's Al Sadd with an annual salary of 11 million euros, and on the 14th of last month, Al Sadd announced his departure. Now, Mancini is set to take over the Italian men's team again after a three-year gap.

However, Mancini will face tough challenges. Italy has now missed the World Cup for three consecutive editions. The lack of reserve talent in the national team will be obstacles to Mancini's success in his second term.

According to the schedule, Mancini's first match after his return will be against Belgium in the Nations League on September 26.