Roberto Mancini has returned as Italy's head coach for a second spell, replacing Gennaro Gattuso, while Claudio Ranieri has been appointed the Italian Football Federation's new technical director.

Axar.az reports, citing The Guardian, that FIGC President Giovanni Malago confirmed the appointments on Tuesday, saying Mancini was the best candidate to lead the national team.

"Mancini is the coach. I believed that the best person to become head coach was Roberto Mancini," Malago said.

Mancini previously managed Italy from 2018 to 2023, guiding the Azzurri to the UEFA Euro 2020 title after defeating England on penalties at Wembley. He takes over after Gattuso left the role in April following Italy's failure to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup.

Meanwhile, 74-year-old Claudio Ranieri succeeds Paolo Maldini as technical director and will oversee technical operations and elite football development across Italy's national team structure.

"We have a new coach and a new technical director for Italy," Malago said.