Roberto Mancini has apologised after being reappointed as Italy's head coach, three years after quitting the role to take a lucrative contract with Saudi Arabia. His return comes as Italy try to rebuild following a third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup, which triggered the resignations of federation president Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso in April after a playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mancini, 61, led Italy to European Championship glory in 2021 but left for the Saudi Arabia job in August 2023, admitting the decision was "completely my fault" due to poor communication with Gravina. He was reportedly a fourth-choice candidate after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola declined the role and Andrea Pirlo was ruled out over concerns linked to a Russian betting sponsorship. Mancini will work alongside new technical director Claudio Ranieri, with his first match back in charge against Belgium in the Nations League on 25 September at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, where he acknowledged some fans may be hostile towards him.