Italy: For Roberto Mancini, the atmosphere is already heating up—a double test awaits him right away
Roberto Mancini returns to the national team’s bench, and he does so amid a situation that feels very much like a doubleheader: one on the field—extremely tough—and one off the field—just as complicated. The chaos that led to the reversal on Pirlo, the resignations of Maldini and Leonardo, and the FIGC’s final decision is bound to spark further debate. The new head coach, coming off a previous stint with the Azzurri that yielded theEuro 2020 but also the sting of failing to qualify for Qatar 2022, knows full well that his second stint begins under a microscope.
The Nations League will be the first test—and not just any test. Italy is in Group 1 of League A alongside France, Belgium, and Turkey: three opponents coming off very different 2026 World Cup campaigns, each of which will be highly motivated in this traveling tournament. Mancini will make his debut on September 25 against Belgium at home, then face Turkey on the road on the 28th and France on October 2. The return match against Turkey is scheduled for October 5, while the group stage will conclude in November with a home game against France (12) and an away game against Belgium (15).
It’s a schedule that offers no respite, especially for a national team that needs to rediscover its identity, confidence, and consistency. And this is where the second front opens up—one that isn’t played out on the field but among the fans and in the opinions of experts. Skepticism runs high: many fans were not pleased with Mancini’s return; others fear that the past may weigh more heavily than the present; still others wonder whether the new head coach will be able to manage a period of technical and generational transition that requires clear and courageous decisions.
On Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok, in the hours following the announcement, comments circulated that ranged from nostalgia for the European Championship victory to concern over a cycle that had ended on a sour note. Some users speak of a “well-deserved second chance,” recalling the friction with Gabriele Gravina—then president of the Italian Football Federation—which had influenced Mancini’s decision to leave and accept the offer from Saudi Arabia. Other fans, however, speak in no uncertain terms of a “step backward” and the FIGC’s “Gattopardo-like” attitude.
Complicating the picture is the revamped management structure: Claudio Ranieri will be the new technical director and president of Club Italia, a role that brings balance but also responsibility. The Nations League cannot be underestimated: both because relegation would have serious economic—as well as sporting—consequences, and because the tournament serves as a lifeline for teams that fail to qualify for Euro 2028: Sweden, which secured a spot in the 2026 World Cup by taking advantage of this very opportunity, is a perfect example.
Mancini will therefore have to proceed on two fronts: rebuilding the team and mending the relationship with a segment of the fan base that views this return with skepticism. The initial challenges will be technical, tactical, and psychological, but also communicative. Because the new Italy will first and foremost have to win people over off the field, where the debate is heated and where every move will be closely scrutinized.
