Official: Baldini returns to Italy U21s as FIGC confirms youth coaching set-up | OneFootball

Official: Baldini returns to Italy U21s as FIGC confirms youth coaching set-up | OneFootball

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·7 August 2026

Official: Baldini returns to Italy U21s as FIGC confirms youth coaching set-up

Article image:Official: Baldini returns to Italy U21s as FIGC confirms youth coaching set-up

The FIGC has confirmed that Silvio Baldini has now officially returned to his regular role as head coach of the Italy U21 side following his interim spell in charge of the men’s senior team, and has also confirmed the rest of the coaching set-up for the other Azzurri age groups.

Following the departure of former CT Gennaro Gattuso earlier this year, Baldini led Italy into two international friendlies at the beginning of June, against Luxembourg and Greece. He named a squad consisting almost entirely of players he knew from the U21 side , leaving the vast majority of the regular senior squad at home in the wake of their World Cup disappointment.


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Roberto Mancini has recently been re-appointed as the head coach of the senior Italy national team, and on Thursday, it was confirmed that he will be supported by the likes of Gabriele Oriali, Leonardo Bonucci, Massimo Maccarone and Antonio Gagliardi.

Italy confirm full coaching staff for men’s youth teams

The FIGC has now confirmed the full list of coaching staff for the Azzurri youth sides as well.

Article image:Official: Baldini returns to Italy U21s as FIGC confirms youth coaching set-up

CREMONA – OCTOBER 14: Coach Silvio Baldini reacts during the UEFA Euro U21 Qualification match between Italy and Armenia at Stadio Giovanni Zini on October 14, 2025 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)

Baldini has returned to his regular role in charge of the U21s and will continue to be supported in that role by former Italy international and Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli, serving as assistant head coach.

There will be no change to the U20 set-up either: Carmine Nunziata will continue to serve as head coach following his brief spell as interim head coach of the U21s while Baldini was based with the senior team.

Nunziata will be supported by Luigi Di Biagio as an assistant and will also be joined by former U19s assistant Christian Maggio, who has been promoted up by an age group.

Article image:Official: Baldini returns to Italy U21s as FIGC confirms youth coaching set-up

DUNAJSKA STREDA, SLOVAKIA – JUNE 22: Head coach Carmine Nunziata of U21 Italy reacts on the sideline during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025 Quarter-Final match against Germany at DAC Arena on June 22, 2025 in Dunajska Streda, Slovakia. (Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images)

The U19s have a new head coach in Massimiliano Favo, who replaces Alberto Bollini following his promotion to the men’s senior side. Favo had led the U18s side to a third-place finish at the U17 World Cup in Qatar.

Daniele Fanceschini will now serve as head coach of the Italy U18s. Manuel Pasqual has been promoted to U17s head coach, having previously served as CT of the U16s.

Giovanni Costantino is the new head coach of the U16s. Enrico Battisti remains in charge of the U15s, as does Luigi Milani with the U14s.

Article image:Official: Baldini returns to Italy U21s as FIGC confirms youth coaching set-up

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: Gianfranco Zola is seen prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between England and Italy at Wembley Stadium on October 17, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Gianfranco Zola has also recently been appointed as Italy’s Youth Activities Project Co-ordinator. Maurizio Viscidi is the overall co-ordinator of the Italy youth set-up.

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