Italy choice between Mancini and Conte, back to the future again | OneFootball

Paolo Maldini had hoped to introduce a very different approach to the Italy bench, but instead it is turning into the same old duel between Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte to hark back to the past.

The Nazionale is in total chaos, as just four days after a press conference where they outlined their bold project for the future of Italian football, and 16 days after being appointed as technical director and special advisor, Maldini and Leonardo have resigned.

They had aimed high, contacting Carlo Ancelotti first and then Pep Guardiola, only to be rebuffed.

When they did choose Andrea Pirlo, his appointment was blocked by the outcry over his role as global brand ambassador for a Russian betting company, Fonbet.

Italy take one step forward, two steps back

ENSCHEDE, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 15: Head coach of Italy Roberto Mancini attends before the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 semifinal match between Spain and Italy at FC Twente Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Enschede, Netherlands. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

According to Sport Mediaset and Sky Sport Italia, the situation now is exactly what it was before Maldini arrived.

That means FIGC President Giovanni Malagò favours the return of Mancini, while the Serie A clubs have reportedly been pressuring him to pick Conte.

OLDENZAAL, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 17: Head coach of Italy Roberto Mancini attends before an Italy Training Session

the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 at K.V.V Quick ’20 Stadium on June 17, 2023 in Oldenzaal, Netherlands. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Both are old hands at the job, because Conte had the bench for two years from 2014-16, while Mancini won the EURO 2020 trophy before abruptly resigning in the summer of 2023.

FLORENCE, ITALY – MAY 24: Italian national team head coach Antonio Conte speaks to the media during a press conference at Coverciano on May 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Now they are out of contract, as Conte terminated his agreement with Napoli by mutual consent after two years, and Mancini left Al-Sadd after a brief spell as the Saudi Arabia national team coach.

Malagò had assured he created the role of technical director of Club Italia so that the choice of Italy coach would not be down solely to the FIGC President.

There seems to have been some misunderstanding between them on how much power the technical director would realistically have.

Italy technical director Paolo Maldini, special advisor Leonardo, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò and Lega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli (figc.it)

Malagò had hinted at this during that press conference just four days ago.

“My predecessor at the FIGC took responsibility for choosing the new Italy coach, but I preferred to turn the matter on its head and choose someone who can look over not just the Nazionale, but the whole academy system.

“It is crucial to totally share everything, so they won’t do anything I don’t agree with, and vice versa.”

When there was no agreement on how to proceed following the Pirlo controversy, Maldini and Leonardo preferred to walk away.