Roberto Mancini is the national team coach, Claudio Ranieri the technical director . They are the men called upon to revive Italian football, or at least bring it back to the World Cup after three failed editions. This was announced by FIGC president Giovanni Malagò at the end of the Federal Council meeting.

"Time was running out, and I felt Mancini was the right person," Malagò said at a press conference after announcing his choices to the Board. "I needed someone to share the coach's decision, because if he hadn't been chosen, my reasoning would have been pointless. We needed someone to become the technical director and president of Club Italia. The person with whom these decisions were shared is Claudio Ranieri, who just a few minutes ago assured me of his commitment and is arriving from Calabria."

Agreements have been reached, all that's missing is the signatures. Ranieri, Cagliari's former miracle coach, declined a call-up to the national team last year because he was working for Roma, a role that later ended following disagreements with coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

For Roberto Mancini, however, it's a return to the Azzurri: after the triumphant 2021 European Championships and the dramatic exclusion from the 2022 World Cup, he hastily left the national team to settle in Saudi Arabia. A huge contract, but a disappointing sporting experience, which ended after just over a year with a mutually agreed termination following less than satisfactory results.

(Unioneonline/L)

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