Senior Italy players support Mancini return as national team head coach – Report

Monday’s reports claim that several senior Italy national team squad members support the idea of a return for Roberto Mancini as head coach, and his candidacy will only be strengthened if Giovanni Malago wins the FIGC Presidential elections that are taking place today. 

CdS: Mancini has the support of several senior Italy players

It is a decisive day for the future of Italian football, as a special FIGC Assembly is being held to elect a new President of the national football association. Previous incumbent Gabriele Gravina resigned shortly after the World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of March, which cost Italy a spot at the final tournament for the third time in a row. 

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – MARCH 15: Giovanni Malago, President of Milano Cortina 2026 waves during the medal ceremonies for the Men’s Slalom events on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on March 15, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Two candidates are on the ballot: Former FIGC President Giancarlo Abete and former Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) President Malago. Malago is the favourite heading into Monday’s vote and if he is appointed, it is increasingly anticipated that Mancini will be reappointed as head coach of the Italy national team. 

According to reports from the Corriere dello Sport, Mancini himself is desperate to return to the role of Italy head coach, is aware that he made the ‘wrong’ choice to leave his position to join the Saudi Arabia set-up in 2023, and is said to be keen on the idea of avenging the World Cup play-off heartbreak against North Macedonia back in 2022. 

Former Italy and Saudi Arabia head coach Roberto Mancini

Monday’s report claim that Mancini is willing to accept a salary that is ‘in line’ with the FIGC budget and suggests that the coach would ‘gladly walk back to Coverciano’ if given the chance. 

The Corriere dello Sport also adds that several senior members of the Italy national team squad support the idea of Mancini returning to his previous role as CT.