Mancini Takes Helm Again as Italy Aims for World Cup Redemption

WHO:

PressReader - Roberto Mancini is the head coach of the Italy national football team.

Football Italia - Gianluigi Buffon is a legendary former goalkeeper and former Italy delegation chief.

Football Italia - Paolo Maldini was the technical director of the FIGC before resigning.

Football Italia - Claudio Ranieri is the new technical director of the FIGC and will work alongside Mancini.

Football Italia - Andrea Pirlo was considered for the head coach position but was ultimately not appointed.

WHAT:

PressReader - Mancini returns as head coach after Italy's third consecutive World Cup miss.

Football Italia - Buffon expressed doubts about Mancini being the right choice for Italy in the current circumstances.

Football Italia - Buffon stated that the main goal for the Italy national team should be to qualify for the World Cup in four years’ time.

WHERE:

Football Italia - The UEFA Nations League match between France and Italy took place at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France.

WHEN:

Football Italia - The UEFA Nations League match is scheduled for September 06, 2024.

WHY:

Football Italia - Buffon mentioned that Mancini's departure to coach Saudi Arabia in August 2023 left lingering issues among supporters.

Football Italia - Buffon emphasized the importance of having a figure like Ranieri in a difficult role for the national team.

HOW:

Football Italia - Buffon indicated that he had an important role in the decision-making process for the head coach position but did not have the final say.

(UPDATED August 2, 2026 14:26 UTC)

Roberto Mancini has returned as head coach of the Italy national football team after the team's third consecutive World Cup miss, with Claudio Ranieri stepping in as the new technical director to work alongside him. Legendary former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has expressed doubts about Mancini's suitability for the role, emphasizing that the main goal should be to qualify for the World Cup in four years. The Italy team will face France in a UEFA Nations League match at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on September 06, 2024, a game that Buffon hopes will help address lingering issues among supporters following Mancini's previous departure to coach Saudi Arabia.