Italy hope for new dawn under Mancini

Roberto Mancini has taken charge of Italy's national football team for the second time, ushering in a new era with a squad comprised of nine new players. The team will kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, marking Italy's first competitive match since a disappointing defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March. This defeat marked a third consecutive failure for Italy to reach the World Cup.

Mancini, who led Italy to Euro 2020, has assembled a team featuring a mix of young and untested players. He expressed his determination to bring the national team back to its former glory, stating, "We have to take the national team back to where it deserves to be, and I m here to win, and I m sure we ll enjoy some great moments."

The changes at the top of Italian football were prompted by widespread calls for reform following the 2023 qualifying failure that deprived a generation of witnessing their country compete in a World Cup. Key figures such as coach Gennaro Gattuso, delegation head Gianluigi Buffon, and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina left their positions in the aftermath of the Bosnia defeat.

Giovanni Malago was elected as the new FIGC president and appointed AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini as technical director, tasked with finding a new coach.

Maldini, after being considered by other top coaches, ultimately chose Roberto Mancini as his successor. Mancini's appointment was met with mixed reactions, with some criticizing his decision to leave Italy for a lucrative job in Saudi Arabia. Despite the controversy, Mancini addressed these criticisms and expressed his deep attachment to the Italian national team, saying, "The Italy shirt was always very important to me. It was like losing the love of my life."

Mancini's first squad, announced for the Nations League match against Belgium, includes nine new faces, with a focus on nurturing young talent for the future. The team will face Turkey twice before their trip to France.