Palladino emerges as Italy’s next coach amid Pirlo, Mancini debate

BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Atalanta BC coach Raffaele Palladino looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at New Balance Arena in Bergamo. The photo, credited to Marco Luzzani/Getty Images, captures the moment as the coach watches the game from the sidelines. Palladino is now without a job after his spells with Fiorentina and Atalanta, and his name has entered the conversation for the Italy job.

Another intriguing name has emerged to become the new Italy coach, as the Nazionale seeks a tactician. The task of selecting Gennaro Gattuso’s heir has been given to technical director Paolo Maldini and his advisor Leonardo. Their mandate is to identify the best candidate for the senior national team.

Andrea Pirlo has been mentioned as a strong candidate, and Roberto Mancini is also listed among the options. Antonio Conte has been cited as a possible return as well, widening the pool of names under consideration for the Italy role.

Tuttosport now points towards Palladino as a fresh name, believing the 42‑year‑old has a chance of becoming Italy coach. He developed under the shadow of Gian Piero Gasperini, adopting many of his techniques during his early coaching years.

Palladino started his coaching career at Monza in 2022, then moved on to a season at Fiorentina in 2024‑25, taking the club to the Conference League semi‑finals. Those achievements added to his reputation as a tactically aware manager.

He took over Atalanta from Ivan Juric in November 2025, steering the side out of the danger zone to secure Conference League qualification and a Coppa Italia semi‑final spot. He left Atalanta after a dispute over the club’s future strategy, ending his tenure as head coach.

If appointed, Palladino would bring a coach shaped by Gasperini’s methods to the ITALY national side, adding a fresh tactical perspective to the pool evaluated by Paolo Maldini and Leonardo. His potential appointment underscores the breadth of options the Nazionale is weighing as it plans its next chapter.