Claudio Ranieri has been appointed as the technical director of Italy's national team, following the Italian Football Federation's (FIGC) approval of Roberto Mancini's return as head coach. The announcement was made on July 30, 2026, according to multiple Italian media reports.
Ranieri, who led Leicester City to a historic Premier League title in 2016, will oversee the technical development of Italian football, working alongside Mancini. The 74-year-old coach has had a long career, including stints at Chelsea, Juventus, and Roma, and most recently managed Cagliari in Serie A.
Mancini, who previously coached Italy from 2018 to 2023, led the Azzurri to victory at Euro 2020. His return was confirmed by the FIGC after a meeting of its board on July 30. The federation did not provide details on the length of the contracts or specific responsibilities.
The appointments come as Italy prepares for the 2026 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting in June. Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, and the new leadership aims to restore the national team's competitiveness.
