Roberto Mancini has officially stepped down from his position as head coach of Qatari club Al-Sadd, opening the door for a highly anticipated return to the Italian national team.
Mancini, a celebrated figure in Italian football, previously guided the Azzurri to a memorable Euro 2020 triumph and also led Manchester City to a Premier League title during his managerial career.
His departure from Al-Sadd was announced on social media, where he expressed gratitude to the club's fans, players, and staff, and extended well wishes to the Qatar national team for their World Cup campaign.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is now reportedly poised to expedite negotiations and formalize Mancini's re-appointment as the head coach of the national squad.
This move comes after Mancini's previous engagement with the Saudi Arabia national team concluded earlier than anticipated, leaving the Italian national team bench vacant.
The position has been open since the resignation of Gennaro Gattuso, which followed Italy's disappointing failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Mancini's extensive experience in international management is considered a crucial asset for the FIGC as they aim to restore Italy's standing and achieve success on the international stage.
His previous tenure saw a significant resurgence for the Italian team, and his return is expected to bring renewed optimism and a clear strategic direction following recent World Cup qualification disappointments.
