How Roberto Mancini became Italy manager again: Guardiola, Pirlo and the twist

The story begins with Gabriel Gravina. In 2018, he was elected President of the Italian Federation, securing 97.2% of the total vote. In his first speech, he made a promise: instead of speaking, he would listen.

History may not remember his presidency kindly despite winning the Euros, but there can be no disputing that he kept that promise. After a public outcry following Italy’s loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Gravina listened to the fans and left his position.

An immediate replacement was announced. Giovanni Malago – Former President of the Italian Olympic Committee. Experienced as he was, Malago understood that rebuilding Italian football would require more than one set of hands. His first major appointment was Maldini, appointed Technical Director.

“When Italy calls, it’s hard to say no. It was a call to arms,” ​​Maldini said. No one could guess what happened next.

Mancini, who has 36 caps for Italy during his playing career, previously managed the team from 2018 to 2023, when they failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958 under Gian Piero Ventura. (AP Photo)

Three meetings

Maldini’s first call was not to Guardiola but to Carlo Ancelotti, under whom he made 252 appearances and won many trophies. Brazil’s quarter-final exit to Norway at the World Cup had fueled speculation about Ancelotti’s future, and Maldini hoped the timing would be inescapable.

They weren’t. Ancelotti chose Brazil.

Then came Guardiola. After leaving Manchester City, Guardiola was offered everything Maldini could offer – a salary that would have made him the highest-paid coach in Azzurri history, the flexibility to stay at Barcelona and the freedom to work primarily in international windows.

Guardiola was still not convinced. David Silva once said that Guardiola’s greatest gift is seeing the future.

After failing in the first two attempts, Maldini turned to his friend – Andrea Pirlo – for the third. His resume didn’t have the glamor of Ancelotti or Guardiola, but he won World Cups with Italy and trophies at Juventus. On July 26, the agreement seemed to have been reached. He wasn’t until then.

Undo the deal

Malago opposed the appointment – ​​not because he doubted Pirlo’s footballing credentials, but because of a business partnership. A year ago, he became the brand ambassador of Phonebet – a Russian betting company.

At first glance, it hardly seemed undeserved. Italian football is not particularly sacred. Inter, Roma and Lazio have placed betting brands on the front of their shirts.

The issue was never about gambling, it was about geopolitics. The Italian government has, repeatedly over the past four years, condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, supported European Union sanctions, and provided military and humanitarian aid to Kiev.

Pirlo, meanwhile, featured in a testimonial game for former Russian international Artem Dzyuba, in which Fonbet was a partner.

Malago pulled the handbrake. I certainly wasn’t aware of this partnership (of Andrea Pirlo) with Fonbet that runs from July 2025. This discovery gave us pause for thought. I take full responsibility to stop the process of appointing Pirlo as head coach.”

Pirlo, upon learning that he was no longer in contention, countered, “The professional collaboration that has been the subject of recent controversy has come as part of my work experience in the United Arab Emirates and is purely professional and sporting in nature. To make political sense of this collaboration is to attribute a belief that I have never expressed and have never expressed.”

Maldini, seeing his authority greatly eroded, resigned. Malago now hired Roberto Mancini on his own – who won Italy the Euros, before resigning two years later after a bitter falling out with Grevina.

Italian football has come full circle in just a fortnight. And with that the saga ends. for now. France and Belgium await in the Nations League. European Championship qualification is beyond that.

Essayist Beppe Severignini described Italy as ‘the only workshop in the world’ that could produce both the Botticellis and the Berlusconis. Italian football, lately, has been producing a lot of the latter.

Extraordinary details of the meeting of the ages

March 31: Italy lost 1-0 to Bosnia and Herzegovina and confirmed their third consecutive failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

April 2: The president of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravina, has resigned amid widespread public outcry.

June 22: Giovanni Malago, former president of the Italian Olympic Committee, was elected FIGC president with 68% of the vote.

July 11: Paolo Maldini has been appointed as Technical Director. He brings in former AC Milan teammate and executive Leonardo as a consultant.

Mid-July: Maldini approaches his former coach Carlo Ancelotti for the Italian job. Ancelotti decided to continue with Brazil.

20 July: Paolo Maldini meets Pep Guardiola in Barcelona. Guardiola is paid handsomely and given the flexibility to stay in his hometown.

From 21st to 24th July: Guardiola rejected the offer.

From 25th to 26th July: Maldini goes to his former teammate Andrea Pirlo. Currently training with Dubai United, Pirlo agrees. A contract is ready.

July 27: Malago revoked Pirlo’s appointment for having links to a Russian betting company. Maldini resigns as his authority diminishes.

July 28: Malago appointed Roberto Mancini as manager.