Gattuso backs Mancini for success in second stint with Italy

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Gennaro Gattuso believes Italy are in good hands with Roberto Mancini at the helm after his return to the Azzurri was confirmed back in July. 

Mancini was reappointed as Italy’s head coach after Gattuso stepped down from his position following their failure to qualify for a third successive World Cup this summer. 

Italy then underwent a chaotic search for a new boss, holding talks with both Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, before being rejected and turning to Andrea Pirlo.

However, with the former midfielder on the brink of being announced, the deal fell through due to controversy surrounding his partnership with a Russian betting company. 

That led to Mancini being appointed, returning to the Italian set-up for a second spell, having previously led the nation from 2018 to 2023, when he won the Euro 2020 title. 

The 61-year-old won 38 of his 58 matches (D12 L8), while leading them to a 37-match unbeaten streak, a record that was only recently surpassed by world champions Spain.

“I’d say he [Mancini] is a great coach with a wealth of experience,” Gattuso said of Mancini. “I wish him all the best because our football needs it.

“He’s a great manager; he’s someone who has already won with the national team, and I obviously wish him all the best from the bottom of my heart.”

Roberto Mancini è il nuovo Commissario Tecnico della Nazionale #Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/PioBpZX6TS

— Nazionale Italiana  (@Azzurri) July 28, 2026

Mancini’s second spell will begin with a clash against Belgium in the Nations League on September 25.

However, Gattuso is still feeling the effects of his failings during his time in charge of his nation. 

The Azzurri were beaten by Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup play-offs, losing 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Zenica. 

It means Italy’s wait to return to the biggest stage of international football will roll on until at least 2030, and Gattuso said his failure had left a lifelong “wound”. 

“I had 10 wonderful months,” Gattuso said of his Italy coaching spell on Monday after guiding Lazio to a 1-0 win at Bologna in their Serie A opener.

“The lads I coached gave me their all. And it’s a wound that will remain for as long as I live, because it was a deep wound.”

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