Italy Eyes Ranieri and Mancini to Lead National Team's New Era After Maldini Exit

Italy is reportedly preparing for a major restructuring of its national team leadership following Paolo Maldini's resignation. According to multiple reports from Italy, sports official Giovanni Malagò is planning to appoint Claudio Ranieri as technical director, while Roberto Mancini is expected to return as the new head coach of the Azzurri.

The leadership change comes shortly after a new project involving Maldini and Leonardo was launched. However, those plans unraveled when Malagò reportedly rejected the proposal to appoint Andrea Pirlo as head coach due to concerns surrounding his role as a brand ambassador for a Russian betting company. Giorgio Chiellini was also considered for the technical director position but chose to remain with Juventus.

The Italian Football Federation is currently holding key discussions in Rome, where Malagò is expected to formally present Mancini as the preferred candidate to take charge of the national team. His appointment is believed to be part of a broader strategy that includes Ranieri overseeing the technical direction of Italian football.

Mancini is no stranger to the role, having managed Italy from 2018 to 2023. During his previous spell, he guided the Azzurri to major success before stepping down unexpectedly to accept the head coaching position with the Saudi Arabian national team.

The proposed reunion of Ranieri and Mancini is viewed as an effort to restore stability and strengthen Italy's long-term football project. Their combined experience and leadership are expected to help the national team regain its competitive edge and build a stronger foundation for future international tournaments.