Donnarumma thanks Italian FA for Mancini return after Guardiola and Ancelotti rejections

Gianluigi Donnarumma has welcomed Roberto Mancini’s return as Italy head coach, thanking the Italian FA for securing the appointment after both Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti declined the role earlier this summer.

The Italian FA first approached Ancelotti before turning to Guardiola, who left Manchester City at the end of last season after years of Premier League dominance. Guardiola was offered the freedom to shape the squad as he saw fit and presented with a lucrative contract, but he turned it down, choosing instead to rest, spend time with his family, and travel. He has since taken on an ambassadorial role with the City Football Group.

With two high-profile rejections behind them, the Italian FA persuaded Mancini to return to the post he previously held with such distinction — most notably guiding Italy to Euro 2020 glory. Mancini takes charge of his first game back as Italy face Belgium in the Nations League.

Ahead of that fixture, Donnarumma was open about his relief at the outcome. “President, thank you, this is exactly what the squad and I wanted,” the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper said. “With all due respect for the other coaches close to the Nazionale, I congratulated the President because we already have a bond of great affection with Mancini, for what we experienced together and what we won. So yes, I am happy.”

Donnarumma also outlined the scale of the task facing the squad after Italy missed out on the 2026 World Cup. “We have to work. The only way forward is to work,” he said. “There has now been a change of coach, the return of Mr Mancini — and the objective is to work and try to take Italy back to where it deserves to be.”

“We have a great responsibility because history says that Italy should always be there. History has taught us that. So we have to bring Italy back to where it belongs.”

Mancini’s reappointment ends a turbulent managerial search for the Azzurri and reunites him with the core of the squad he led to European Championship glory four years ago.