The former Man City manager has signed a two-year contract with the Azzurri.
Roberto Mancini ended a disappointing spell in Russia with Zenit St Petersburg on Sunday and has now finalised an agreement with the Italian FA on Monday in Rome.
He has taken a pay-cut to join his country’s national setup having agree to terminate his deal with the Russian club only one season in, having originally signed for three years. Mancini has reportedly left potential earnings of £11.5 million on the table.
It isn’t all bad for the former Sampdoria forward though, who will pick up £1.8 million a year up until 2020 as attempts to take the Italy team through to the next European Championships.
BREAKING: @azzurri name @robymancio as new head coach. #SSN pic.twitter.com/Tdu4GPBUtz
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 14, 2018
It won’t be easy though, as the four time champions failed to qualify for this summer’s World Cup in Russia. They do, however, undoubtedly have the talent: Napoli’s Lorenzo Insigne and Jorginho have been superb this season, along with Lazio’s Ciro Immobile, who has scored 29 goals in 32 league games. Milan youngsters Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alessio Romagnoli also look like future stalwarts in another formidable Italian backline.
The Azzurri have friendlies coming up against both France and the Netherlands in June for Mancini to begin tinkering with his squad. Could a national team return for Mario Balotelli be on the cards? I wouldn’t bet against it.
