Mancini aims to make Italy winners again

Harry Archie July 29, 2026

Sports

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New Italy coach Roberto Mancini says he wants to lead the national team back to winning major trophies after years of disappointment.

Speaking at his first press conference on Wednesday, Mancini said his goal is to restore Italy’s winning mentality after the team failed to qualify for the last three FIFA World Cups.

The 61-year-old returned as Italy coach after replacing Gennaro Gattuso, who resigned following Italy’s defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup qualifying play-off in March.

Mancini previously managed Italy from 2018 to 2023, leading the team to victory at Euro 2020.

“I hope to win another trophy, maybe even two,” he said. “My goal is to make sure the team starts winning again.”

He admitted that leaving the Italy job in 2023 to coach Saudi Arabia was painful, describing it as “like losing the woman of your life.”

Now back on a four-year contract, Mancini said he wants to build a team that fans will be proud of once again.

“I believe Italy has many talented young players. We just need to trust them and give them opportunities,” he said.

His first match in charge will be a UEFA Nations League game against Belgium in Rome on September 25. Italy will then face Turkey three days later before travelling to Paris to play France.

Mancini’s return has divided opinion among some fans and football officials because of the way he left the national team in 2023.

Before returning to Italy, he coached Saudi Arabia and later Qatari club Al Sadd.

Italy, four-time world champions, have not played at a World Cup since 2014. Their last major success was winning Euro 2020 under Mancini. Since then, they were knocked out in the round of 16 at Euro 2024 by Switzerland.