# Mancini returns to rebuild Italy from historic low > Roberto Mancini is back as Italy head coach after the Azzurri missed three straight World Cups, tasked with reviving a nation that once dominated football. - Title: Mancini returns to rebuild Italy from historic low | Shortify - Summary: Roberto Mancini is back as Italy head coach after the Azzurri missed three straight World Cups, tasked with reviving a nation that once dominated football… - Keywords: italy national team, roberto mancini, world cup qualification, gianluigi donnarumma, serie a, youth development, samuele inacio, european football, nations league, football talent pipeline, sports, Mancini - Source: Sky Sports — https://skysports.com/football/news/12040/13590474/roberto-mancini-returns-as-italy-head-coach-but-can-the-azzurri-recover-from-lowest-ebb-with-a-youth-inspired-revolution - Author: Sam Blitz - Published: 2026-09-23T08:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: italy national team, roberto mancini, world cup qualification, gianluigi donnarumma, serie a, youth development, samuele inacio, european football, nations league, football talent pipeline, sports ## Italy hits rock bottom Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, an unthinkable outcome for a four-time champion. The disaster triggered resignations from head coach Gennaro Gattuso, FA president Gabriele Gravina, and Gianluigi Buffon. ## Mancini returns to save Italy Roberto Mancini, who won Euro 2020 with Italy, is back as head coach for a second spell. He replaces Gennaro Gattuso and faces the challenge of rebuilding a nation that has fallen far from its peak. ## Twenty years since World Cup glory Italy's last World Cup knockout appearance was in 2006. Since then, they have won just one World Cup match, a 2-1 victory over England in Brazil 2014. ## Talent pipeline has dried up Between 2020 and 2025, Italy produced just 413 football exports, ranking 24th globally behind the United States, Japan, and Russia. Other European powers all managed over 1,000 players in the same period. ## Young players rarely get chances In 2025, Italy gave just 1.9 percent of Serie A minutes to eligible players under 21, the second-lowest rate among the top 50 leagues worldwide. Only the United Arab Emirates Pro League managed fewer. ## Managerial carousel stifles innovation Antonio Conte, Max Allegri, Gennaro Gattuso, Luciano Spalletti, and Maurizio Sarri have cycled through top Italian clubs without much tactical variation. Cesc Fabregas and Ruben Amorim showed what fresh ideas can achieve. ## Donnarumma: we must work Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma says the team understands the weight of history and is committed to returning Italy to where it belongs. Only the players know what it means to miss the World Cup. > We have to work. The only way forward is to work. ## Nine uncapped players in new squad Mancini's first squad back includes nine uncapped players and 11 under age 23, signaling a youth-focused rebuild. This contrasts sharply with England, which had a dozen capped players under 24 in the same period. ## Samuele Inacio leads young wave Borussia Dortmund's 18-year-old striker Samuele Inacio is among the new generation. Other prospects include Chelsea-bound Honest Ahanor, Brentford's Michael Kayode, and Inter forward Pio Esposito with five goals in nine caps. ## More emerging talent in pipeline FC Nurnberg's Ali Zoma has 20 goals in 36 appearances in the German second division. Sporting CP's Issa Doumbia is also a key player this season, adding depth to Italy's youth revolution. ## Mix of youth and experience needed Donnarumma says the team will blend established players with very young talent. The young players are talented but need playing time and experience to develop into World Cup winners. > They're certainly talented players who need to play and gain experience. ## Tough Nations League test ahead Italy faces Belgium, Turkey, and France in a competitive Nations League Group A. A nation lingering in darkness for so long needs just one spark to reignite. ## Key takeaway Italy's football system has failed to develop young talent at the rate of other European powers, but Mancini's squad includes nine uncapped players and 11 under 23, signaling a youth-focused rebuild.