Video: From Guardiola to Pirlo to Mancini: Italy’s coaching chaos explained | OneFootball

Roberto Mancini has officially been appointed as Italy’s new head coach, with the 61-year-old returning for a second spell in charge of the Azzurri after previously leading the national team to victory at Euro 2020, but also failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

Mancini’s reappointment comes at the end of a dramatic and often chaotic search for a new coach.

The Italian Football Federation, through their ex-technical director Paolo Maldini, explored several high-profile options, including an ambitious attempt to lure Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti.

With both coaches unavailable, Maldini picked Andrea Pirlo, but FIGC President Giovanni Malagò refused to confirm his appointment, officially due to Pirlo’s role as a brand ambassador for a Russian betting company.

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – MAY 18: Head coach of Juventus Andrea Pirlo speaks with the media during an Juventus press conference ahead of the TIMVISION Cup Final between Atalanta BC and Juventus on May 18, 2021 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for Lega Serie A)

Maldini and his advisor Leonardo believed that their decision-making autonomy was no longer present, which led to their resignation.

Malagò confirmed on Tuesday that Mancini had been chosen as Italy’s new head coach.

Speaking on CNN World Sport, Football Italia editor Lorenzo Bettoni broke down the twists and turns of Italy’s managerial search, explaining how the federation’s initial dream of appointing Guardiola eventually gave way to the return of their former European champion.

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