Mancini returns as Italy coach with Ranieri as technical director

July 28 : Former Italy manager Roberto Mancini will return for a second spell as national team coach, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Giovanni Malago said on Tuesday, while Claudio Ranieri will take over as technical director.

Mancini will replace Gennaro Gattuso, who left the post in April following a World Cup qualifying defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina, the third time in a row the four-times world champions had failed to reach the global showpiece event.

Malago announced the appointment during a Federal Council meeting.

"Mancini is the coach," he said before confirming the decision at a press conference.

"I believed that the best person to become head coach was Roberto Mancini," Malago told reporters.

The 61-year-old Mancini guided Italy to the European Championship title in 2021.

He led Italy in 58 matches during his first spell and at club level has managed Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Manchester City, where he spent three years and guided them to their first Premier League title in 2011-12.

Former FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo resigned from their roles on Monday after their primary candidate for the Italy coach's position, Andrea Pirlo, had his appointment blocked due to his ties to a Russian betting firm.

Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who was the FIGC's first choice to take charge of the national team, turned down the job this month.

Ranieri will take up the role of FIGC technical director, replacing Maldini.

The 74-year-old coach, who famously led Leicester City to a shock English Premier League title in 2016, will oversee technical operations and elite football development across Italy's national team structures.

"I needed someone with whom I could share the decision