Italy's search for a new national team manager has descended into chaos, with the Italian Football Federation cycling through candidates before settling on former boss Roberto Mancini as the likely favourite. This matters because the Azzurri have missed the last three men's World Cups and remain without a permanent coach as they attempt to rebuild, highlighting deeper dysfunction within Italian football's leadership just as their rivals appear settled and stable by comparison.

Pep Guardiola turned down the role to take a year off, before talks with Andrea Pirlo collapsed reportedly over backlash against his autobiography and its links to a Russian betting company; the appointment was said to have been vetoed by the federation president, prompting technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo to resign only three weeks into their posts. Mancini, who won Euro 2020 with Italy, and Antonio Conte, who reached the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, are now the leading contenders. The contrast is stark with France, where Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as Didier Deschamps' successor after 14 stable years under the outgoing coach, with Zidane calling the move "a continuity, a dream".