Former Italy head coach Roberto Mancini is set to take over as the national team's manager for a second time, a source close to the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.
Mancini will replace Gennaro Gattuso, who resigned in April after a World Cup qualifying loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This marks the third consecutive time the four-time world champions will miss the global tournament.
Italian media reported that Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Giovanni Malago announced the appointment during a Federal Council meeting, stating: “Mancini is the coach.”
Mancini, 61, led Italy to victory at Euro 2021. During his first stint, he managed the team in 58 matches. At the club level, he has coached Inter Milan, Fiorentina, and Manchester City, where he spent three years and secured the club's first Premier League title in the 2011-12 season.
Earlier, former FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo resigned on Monday, after the leading candidate for the Italy coaching job, Andrea Pirlo, was not appointed due to ties with a Russian betting company.
Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who was FIGC's first choice to lead the national team, declined the job earlier this month.
