Roberto Mancini

Roberto Mancini returns to the helm of the Italy national team, having previously managed the Azzurri for more than five years, from May 2018 to August 2023. Crowned European champions on 11 July 2021, he led Italy to the UEFA EURO 2020 title at Wembley and guided the team to the finals of the UEFA Nations League on two occasions, finishing third in the 2020/21 and 2022/23 editions. As head coach, he also oversaw Italy's record run of 37 consecutive matches without defeat, which came to an end against Spain in the 2020/21 Nations League semi-final thanks to a Ferran Torres brace. That record was later surpassed by Spain themselves, courtesy of another goal from Ferran Torres in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina.

Born in Jesi on 27 November 1964, Mancini began his coaching career at Lazio as assistant to Sven-Göran Eriksson during the 2000/01 season. The following year, he took charge of Fiorentina and immediately lifted the Coppa Italia, the first trophy of his managerial career. Between 2002 and 2004, he managed Lazio, winning a second Coppa Italia before moving to Inter in 2004. It was at the Nerazzurri club that Mancini established himself as one of Italy's most successful coaches, winning three Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia trophies and three Italian Super Cups. In 2009, he joined Manchester City and, in his first experience abroad, added three more trophies to his honours list: the Premier League title, the FA Community Shield and the FA Cup. After a season in charge of Galatasaray (2013/14), during which he won the Turkish Cup, he returned to Inter on 14 November 2014. In June 2017, he signed for Zenit St Petersburg, leading the Russian side during the 2017/18 campaign. After leaving the Italy job in August 2023, he went on to coach the Saudi Arabia national team before his most recent spell with Al Sadd in Qatar. Winner of the Panchina d'Oro (Golden Bench Award) for the 2007/08 season, he was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2015 in the Italian Coach category.

His playing career was equally distinguished. He represented Bologna, Sampdoria, Lazio and Leicester, winning two UEFA Cup Winners' Cups, one UEFA Super Cup, two Serie A titles, six Coppa Italia trophies and two Italian Super Cups. In total, he made 545 league appearances (Serie A and the Premier League), scoring 156 goals, while his overall tally across all competitions stands at 738 appearances and 204 goals. He featured in the 1984 and 1986 UEFA European Under-21 Championships, finishing third and second respectively, before making his senior Italy debut on 26 May 1984 in a 2-0 friendly victory over Canada in Toronto. He went on to earn 36 caps and score four goals for the Azzurri, helping Italy finish third at the 1990 FIFA World Cup on home soil.