Following Italy’s disappointing exit from the World Cup, a significant restructuring is underway within Italian football. With Gabriele Gravina’s resignation now confirmed, immediate attention turns to who will manage the Azzurri on an interim basis before a permanent successor to Gennaro Gattuso can be appointed.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) faces a pressing challenge: two friendly matches are scheduled before the presidential election on June 22nd in Rome. This means Italy requires a coach sooner rather than later, even before a new president is chosen and a long-term manager is selected.
Reports suggest that the most probable solution for this interim role is the current Italy Under-21 head coach, Silvio Baldini. At present, Baldini’s temporary appointment appears to be the favored choice.
A Precedent for Interim Leadership
This situation is not without precedent in Italian football.
Indeed, in 2018, after Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup under Giampiero Ventura, Under-21 coach Luigi Di Biagio served as interim manager for two friendly matches against Argentina and England. He held the position until Roberto Mancini was later named the permanent head coach.
Eight years later, Baldini would be stepping into a remarkably similar temporary role.
The comprehensive restructuring of Italian football is expected to unfold in the coming weeks. The presidential election on June 22nd is poised to be a crucial turning point, influencing all subsequent decisions, including the selection of the long-term national team manager.