Italy hope for new dawn under Mancini

After months of uncertainty, Italy are poised to resume their football journey under the guidance of Roberto Mancini. The Azzurri will kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. This will mark their first competitive match since a disappointing defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March, which resulted in Italy failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

Roberto Mancini, the architect of Italy's last major triumph at Euro 2020, has returned as head coach. The new squad includes a mix of experienced players and young talents, reflecting Mancini's intention to rejuvenate the national team. Claudio Ranieri and Gianfranco Zola have taken on the roles of technical director and youth projects coordinator, respectively.

Giovanni Malago, the former Milan-Cortina Olympics boss, was elected as the new FIGC president, while Paolo Maldini, the legendary AC Milan player, became the technical director.

The changes in leadership and personnel came after widespread calls for a complete overhaul of the Italian football system following a series of poor performances. Several high-profile figures, including coach Gennaro Gattuso and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, left the organization in the wake of the Bosnia defeat. When Malago became FIGC president, he appointed Maldini as technical director, a move that initially faced criticism before Maldini eventually succeeded Mancini as the head coach.

Mancini's return has been met with mixed reactions. While many appreciate his wealth of experience and achievements, some feel betrayed by his decision to leave Italy for a lucrative job in Saudi Arabia in 2023. At his presentation, Mancini apologized for his absence and emphasized the importance of the Italy shirt to him. The new squad features nine new faces, with a focus on integrating young talent to ensure a strong future for Italian football.