The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is navigating a significant transition under its new president, Giovanni Malagò, with the central question looming: who will lead the national team forward after Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup? Roberto Mancini has emerged as a leading contender to return to the Azzurri bench, but the landscape remains fluid and financially precarious.
Why This Matters
• Mancini's potential return comes after he left his most recent coaching position, positioning him as a candidate eager to rebuild his legacy with Italy's national team.
• Antonio Conte, despite his recent success in Serie A, commands a significant salary that far exceeds the FIGC's current budget constraints.
• Malagò's first major test as FIGC president involves balancing public sentiment, financial reality, and the urgent need for sporting redemption ahead of Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup, which Italy will co-host.
A Nation Seeking Redemption
Italy's footballing prestige has taken a severe blow. Missing the 2026 World Cup represents a significant setback for a four-time champion with a storied football history. The federation faces considerable financial and sporting pressures as it searches for a new direction.
Malagò, elected FIGC president on June 22, 2026, inherits a system under financial and sporting strain. The federation's budget constraints are well documented, while Serie A clubs collectively carry substantial debt, and the national team's World Cup absence has cost the federation millions in revenue from tournament participation and broadcasting deals.
Against this backdrop, Malagò has emphasized the need for a coach who can both develop young talent and restore credibility. He has stated he is consulting widely before making his decision, but insiders suggest the selection process is moving toward a resolution.
Mancini: The Prodigal Son
Roberto Mancini remains a leading candidate. The 61-year-old tactician from Jesi led Italy to glory at Euro 2020, a triumph that briefly restored pride following earlier disappointments. However, his departure to coach abroad on lucrative contracts left a mixed impression among some fans and federation officials.
Mancini's recent international coaching assignments have concluded, and sources close to the coach suggest he has been sending clear signals of his desire to return to the Azzurri bench. Malagò is said to hold Mancini in high regard, particularly for his track record of promoting young Italian players during his previous tenure with the national team. The public, however, remains divided. Some view his return as a pragmatic choice given his pedigree and availability, while others question whether a coach who previously left the project for lucrative foreign opportunities deserves another chance.
Speculation centers on a potential contract designed to guide Italy through Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup. Such a timeline would offer Mancini the opportunity to rebuild his legacy and restore the Azzurri to their former heights.
Conte: The Dream Candidate with a Price Tag
Antonio Conte represents an alternative option. The 56-year-old coach previously managed Italy from 2014 to 2016, leading the team to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 before departing for Chelsea. His club career since then has been successful, including league titles with multiple Serie A sides.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, a prominent supporter of Malagò's FIGC campaign, has reportedly been a vocal advocate for Conte's appointment to the national team. The coach's tactical discipline, motivational ability, and track record of extracting maximum performance from squads make him an attractive option.
The obstacle is financial. Conte's salary expectations significantly exceed the FIGC's current budget. Malagò has hinted at exploring alternative funding models, similar to arrangements used during previous national team tenures, where corporate sponsors contributed to coaching salaries. Whether such an arrangement can be replicated remains uncertain, especially given the current economic constraints facing Italian football.
Industry observers note that while Conte's appointment would generate excitement, the financial arrangements required may prove complex for a federation navigating budgetary challenges.
Other Candidates
Malagò is known for his strategic discretion, and insiders suggest additional candidates may be under consideration. Fabio Grosso, the Euro 2006 World Cup hero, has been associated with coaching discussions. Similarly, Daniele De Rossi, who served as an assistant during Italy's Euro 2020 campaign, has been mentioned as a potential candidate. His deep understanding of Italian football culture and playing legacy represent appeals to federation officials.
Other names have been mentioned, though they are considered less likely central to the decision.
What This Means for Italian Football
The decision Malagò makes in the coming period will set the tone for his tenure. The new FIGC president has indicated his commitment to finalizing the appointment, aware that the federation needs clarity and direction.
For Italian football, the stakes extend beyond one appointment. The failure to qualify for recent World Cups has diminished the country's standing in the global game. The next coach must not only develop competitive teams but also restore belief in a system that requires rebuilding.
If Mancini returns, he will carry the burden of redemption—both his own and the nation's. If Conte is secured despite financial obstacles, it will signal ambition and commitment to excellence. Regardless of who is chosen, the new coach will inherit a squad with potential, a federation managing budgetary pressures, and a fanbase eager for a return to competitive success.
The decision will be a defining moment for Malagò's leadership and the future direction of Italian football.
