Roberto Mancini's return feels right - but can he restore Italy to its former glory?
The Italian Football Federation has had a week of drama worthy of EastEnders, with Andrea Pirlo blocked from becoming head coach, Pep Guardiola declining the opportunity, Paolo Maldini’s resignation, and finally Roberto Mancini's reappointment as the next head coach of the Azzurri.
Former Manchester City manager Mancini has brought success to Italy before at Euro 2020, but is he truly the right person to get Italy’s national team back on track and give the country something to be truly proud of?
Sports News Blitz writer Luca Salmasi delves into this particular move and whether the FIGC have made the right move to revive Italian football.
Soccer news: Paolo Maldini to lead revamp of Italian national team set-up alongside Leonardo
Paolo Maldini has officially been appointed as the new technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and will be joined by former AC Milan team-mate Leonardo as special advisor.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Luca Salmasi takes a closer look at Maldini’s appointment and what it means for the FIGC and national set-up moving forward.
Soccer opinion: Changes Italy must make after yet another World Cup qualification failure
Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup is monumental; as a country with such a successful history in the competition, it doesn’t feel right that it won’t be heading to North America this summer, especially for a nation that was often a regular participant.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Luca Salmasi takes a look at the changes Italy must make to return to the next World Cup and restore their status amongst the elites of international football.