Roberto Mancini’s return as Italy head coach has received the backing of the Azzurri dressing room, with captain Gianluigi Donnarumma making his feelings clear in a message sent to Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malagò.
Speaking publicly, Malagò revealed that Donnarumma contacted him while on his honeymoon to express his delight at the appointment.
“I received a message from Donnarumma during his honeymoon,” Malagò said. “It read: ‘President, exactly what the team and I wanted. Thank you.'”
The brief but powerful message underlined the confidence the Italy squad has in the coach who guided the nation to UEFA Euro 2020 glory at Wembley.
While Mancini’s return has been warmly welcomed, the squad he inherits is significantly different from the one that conquered Europe. Several experienced players have retired, others have fallen out of contention, and a new generation has begun to emerge.
Of the 23 players selected by Mancini for his final match during his first spell in charge—a 3-2 UEFA Nations League victory over the Netherlands in June 2023—only nine featured in Italy’s most recent fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Despite the changes, several key figures remain at the heart of the national team. Nicolò Barella continues to be one of Italy’s most influential midfielders and is expected to form a strong partnership with Manuel Locatelli and Sandro Tonali.
Defensively, Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco have established themselves among Europe’s elite, while Alessandro Buongiorno, whom Mancini introduced during his previous tenure, is also expected to play an important role.
Italy’s biggest challenge lies in attack. Mateo Retegui, one of Mancini’s standout discoveries during his first spell, is currently sidelined with a tibia injury, leaving Moise Kean to lead the line. Federico Chiesa, Giacomo Raspadori and Nicolò Zaniolo will all be eager to secure regular places in the starting XI.
FIGC President Giovanni Malagò reveals Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma approves of Roberto Mancini as the new Italy coach, but UEFA and FIFA are ‘in total conflict’ and things are about to get worse.#Azzurri #Calcio #Nazionale #FIFA #UEFA #MCFC #Italy pic.twitter.com/DNqHaCDlR7
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) July 29, 2026
The return of Chiesa and Raspadori could also allow Mancini to revive his preferred 4-3-3 formation, the system that became synonymous with his first spell in charge and was used in the majority of his 58 matches as Italy coach.
However, this latest chapter is not expected to be a simple continuation of the past. Instead, Mancini is set to blend experienced internationals with an exciting crop of emerging talent as he begins building the next generation of the Azzurri.
Young prospects including Pio Esposito, Niccolò Pisilli, Davide Bartesaghi, Giorgio Scalvini and Giovanni Leoni are all viewed as players capable of making the step up to senior international football.
Mancini’s objective will be to rebuild Italy without abandoning the foundations that brought success during his previous tenure. By combining the leadership of established stars with the enthusiasm of the country’s brightest young talents, the Italian coach hopes to guide the Azzurri back to competing for major honours.
If Donnarumma’s message is anything to go by, the dressing room is fully united behind the man who once led them to European glory and now returns to begin a new chapter in Italy’s history.
