Roberto Mancini Returns as Italy Coach for Nations League Match vs Belgium

Roberto Mancini is preparing for his first match back in charge of the Italy national team, facing Belgium in a UEFA Nations League fixture at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday, as reported by NDTV Sports. Mancini returns for a second spell after previously leading the Azzurri to the Euro 2020 title, according to Flashscore. His reappointment follows a tumultuous period for Italian football marked by the resignation of head coach Gennaro Gattuso, Italian FA president Gabriele Gravina, and head of delegation Gianluigi Buffon following a play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March, which sealed a third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup, according to NDTV Sports and Sky Sports.

Roberto Mancini Returns for Nations League Opener Against Belgium

Mancini took over in July after a chaotic summer that included a brief, aborted attempt by the Italian football federation (FIGC) to appoint Andrea Pirlo, whose candidacy collapsed amid backlash over his commercial ties to a Russian betting company, according to Reuters and NDTV Sports. Giovanni Malago subsequently became FIGC president and appointed Paolo Maldini as technical director, though Maldini and his advisor Leonardo resigned after just 16 days following the Pirlo controversy, as detailed by NDTV Sports.

Addressing Fan Anger and Rebuilding the Squad

Mancini’s return has faced criticism from fans and media members upset by his departure in August 2023 to manage Saudi Arabia’s national team, with Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport publishing an open letter accusing him of betrayal, as reported by NDTV Sports and Yahoo Sports. Addressing reporters on Monday, Mancini acknowledged the backlash, stating that fans have a right to feel upset, but emphasized his desire to look forward, according to Reuters.

Roberto Mancini Returns as Italy Coach for Nations League Match vs Belgium — Photo: sports.ndtv.com

When a fan feels betrayed, he has the right to be upset, and you have to accept it, Mancini said, according to Reuters. We must do things well and bring the national team where it belongs so things will settle.

For his opening matches back, Mancini has selected a 34-man squad featuring a mix of veterans and up to ten first-time call-ups, including young players such as Massimo Pessina, Michael Kayode, Alessandro Romano, Eddy Kouadio, Issa Doumbia, and Mohamed Ali Zoma, according to NDTV Sports and Flashscore. Mancini defended his heavy squad overhaul and omission of certain experienced players, explaining that a larger group is necessary to evaluate players quickly across a compressed window of four fixtures, as noted by Reuters.

Demanding Nations League Schedule and Late Squad Adjustments

Italy faces a rigorous Nations League slate in the coming weeks. Following Friday’s opening home fixture against Belgium in Rome, Mancini’s side will play Turkey away on September 29, travel to face France on October 2, and host Turkey again on October 5, according to Flashscore and Yahoo Sports.

Soccer Football - Nations League - Italy Training - FIGC Coverciano Technical Centre, Coverciano, Italy - September 21, 2026 — Photo: reuters.com

The FIGC confirmed late squad adjustments ahead of the opener, with Aston Villa defender Matteo Ruggeri replacing injured Inter Milan defender Federico Dimarco, and Como midfielder Samuele Ricci stepping in following the earlier withdrawal of AS Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante, according to Reuters.