Roberto Mancini Sets High Targets to Restore the Glory of the Italian National Football Team.

Roberto Mancini has immediately set ambitious targets for his second spell as head coach of the Italy national football team. The 61-year-old tactician aims to restore Gli Azzurri to their former glory, while ending Italy's damaging run of failing to qualify for three consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Mancini will take charge of Italy on a four-year contract. The coach who led Gli Azzurri to lift the Euro 2020 title is targeting to bring more silverware to the nation, while also building solid long-term foundations for the national squad.

"I have signed a four-year contract. My target is to bring Italy one major title, or even two. If possible, I also want to stay with this team for longer than this agreement," Mancini stated, as quoted from the official website of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Thursday.

Mancini's return represents a major strategic move by the FIGC to revive the national team's status following a series of underwhelming results in recent years. Italy have not won any major international tournament since their 2020 European Championship triumph under Mancini.

The former Manchester City manager is a familiar figure for the Italian public. During his first tenure between 2018 and 2023, Mancini guided Gli Azzurri to a record 37 consecutive unbeaten matches, a streak that was only surpassed by Spain earlier this year.

However, Mancini acknowledges his comeback comes with distinct challenges. His 2023 decision to leave the Italy post to accept the Saudi Arabia national team head coach role sparked widespread controversy and disappointed large numbers of Gli Azzurri supporters.

"I want to make the Italy national team play attractive football again and deliver peak performances, so that the fans can fall back in love with this team. I also hope they can forgive everything that happened previously," he said.

Alongside rebuilding trust with supporters, Mancini is confident Italy still possesses a pool of talented players capable of competing at the highest international level. He has also called on Serie A clubs to provide more playing opportunities for young prospects to accelerate the national team's regeneration process.

Mancini revealed the two core priorities driving his second spell leading Italy.

"There are two things I want to achieve most. First, make supporters proud of and love the Italy national team again. Second, ensure that children - including my 12-year-old nephew who has never once watched Italy play at a World Cup - finally get to experience that moment," Mancini said.

Mancini's reappointment was finalised after the FIGC abandoned plans to hire Andrea Pirlo as head coach, a saga that prompted Paolo Maldini and Leonardo to resign from their roles at the federation. The collapsed Pirlo appointment was derailed by controversy over his commercial ties with a Russian betting company.

FIGC President Giovanni Malagò has also appointed Claudio Ranieri as Technical Director. The 74-year-old will be responsible for overseeing all technical operations and elite football development across the entire Italy national team structure.

Mancini's first official tests in his second tenure will come in the UEFA Nations League. Italy will host Belgium in Rome on 25 September, before welcoming Turkey in Bologna on 5 October.

"These matches will be a critical test for us. From these fixtures we will assess the current strength of this team, and identify all areas that still require improvement. This is not an easy group, but every nation in this pool will face the same level of challenge," he concluded.