Calcio Society · https://calciosociety.news/news/mancinis-second-coming-italy-start-again-against-belgium-147203
Mancini's second coming: Italy start again against Belgium
25.09.26, 19:19 Updated 25.09.26, 19:20 5 Minute Read
There is something almost cyclical about Friday night at the Stadio Olimpico. Roberto Mancini, the man who rebuilt Italy from the ruins of 2017 and carried them to Wembley glory in 2021, is back in the dugout, once again tasked with picking up the pieces of a failed World Cup campaign. Belgium are the first visitors in League A Group 1 of the Nations League, kick-off at 7.45pm UK time, and for once the result may matter less than the mood it sets.
The context is brutal. Italy have now missed three World Cups in a row. The latest failure followed a familiar script: second place in the qualifying group, some distance behind Norway, a play-off semi-final win over Northern Ireland, then heartbreak in the final as Bosnia-Herzegovina won on penalties in March. Gennaro Gattuso resigned in April, and so did federation president Gabriele Gravina. What followed was a chaotic summer. Silvio Baldini held the fort as interim coach, an attempt to appoint Andrea Pirlo fell apart amid controversy, and the federation eventually turned to a familiar face. Mancini returned at the end of July on a contract running until 2030.
Become a member today.
Calcio Society needs its community to support independent, high-quality coverage of Serie A. Subscribe to a monthly or annual package today to be a part of something special.
Already have an account? Sign in
Related Topics
Andrea Locorotondo is an SJA- and AIPS-accredited sports journalist with venue access across UEFA and FIFA competitions. He is the founder and editor of Calcio Society, and co-founded the independent Aston Villa title The Holte Roar.