Roberto Mancini is officially back as the head coach of the Italy national team, Claudio Ranieri has stepped into the position of FIGC technical director following the resignation of Paolo Maldini, and the latest reports indicate that Gianfranco Zola is in line to complete the new Azzurri set-up.
Could Zola join Italy national team set-up with Mancini and Ranieri?
It has been a rollercoaster few days for the Italy national team and the FIGC. Maldini and his advisor Leonardo left their positions with the FIGC just 16 days after being appointed after failing to appoint any of their top three candidates for the head coach position: Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola or Andrea Pirlo.
On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Mancini would instead return to the position of Italy national team head coach and that Ranieri would replace Maldini as technical director.
There is still one position within the national team set-up yet to be filled: That is Gianluigi Buffon’s old position as head of delegation. This role has also previously been held by Gigi Riva and Gianluca Vialli.
This time around the role of delegation chief is expected to have a bigger focus on the youth teams and the links between them and the senior national side. The new head of delegation would work with the first team, but also alongside youth team co-ordinator Maurizio Viscidi.
According to the latest reports from Sport Mediaset, Giovanni Malagò’s preferred candidate for the role is Zola, who is currently acting as vice-President of the Lega Pro. Zola is said to be happy in his current role and is not thinking about leaving, but is still expected to hold talks over a potential shift in position within the next few hours.
Beppe Bergomi, who had also been under consideration for the technical director position, is among the list of potential alternatives according to Wednesday’s reports.
