Mancini and 2006 Italy World Cup winners emerge to replace Spalletti

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 8:26 AM ET

Stefano Pioli isn’t the only candidate to replace Luciano Spalletti as the Italy national team coach after Claudio Ranieri’s refusal. According to Gazzetta, ex-Azzurri boss Roberto Mancini is a ‘strong’ option, but 2006 World Cup winners Fabio Cannavaro, Daniele De Rossi and Gennaro Gattuso also remain in the frame.

Italy are due to pick their next coach after Spalletti, but FIGC remains with few options available after Ranieri decided to stick to his advisor role at Roma.

Gazzetta: Mancini a strong candidate to replace Spalletti as Italy coach

Football Italia already reported Pioli was a possible candidate for the job, although Al-Nassr haven’t yet released the Italian tactician, who has an agreement in principle with Fiorentina.

These aspects are convincing the Italian Federation to look elsewhere, according to Gazzetta and Sky Sport Italia.

Italy World Cup winners linked with replacing Spalletti

The pink paper reports that ex-Azzurri coach Mancini is a ‘strong candidate’, although it remains to be seen whether his shocking exit in 2023 is still having consequences internally.

Alternative paths lead to 2006 World Cup winners Cannavaro, De Rossi, and Gattuso, who are all currently without a club.

Italy beat Moldova 2-0 on Monday in Spalletti’s final game as the Azzurri head coach.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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