Italian football has hit an unprecedented low point this year, with the nation’s clubs and national team both struggling to make an impact on the continental stage. In European competition, no Italian side progressed beyond the quarter‑finals, and only Atalanta managed to reach the Champions League round of 16, leaving Serie A’s overall performance looking bleak.
The situation was even more dire for the Azzurri, who missed out on qualifying for a third consecutive World Cup—a shocking outcome for a country that has lifted the trophy four times. The first two failures to qualify were somewhat softened by the euphoria of winning Euro 2020 at Wembley, a triumph that gave fans a brief glimmer of hope.
However, the most recent World Cup miss proved to be the final straw. The 48‑team tournament simply did not feature Italy, prompting a cascade of resignations: head coach Gennaro Gattuso stepped down, Italian FA president Gabriele Gravina quit his post, and legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon relinquished his role as head of delegation. "It’s a painful subject for me because missing three World Cups in a row is unacceptable, and Italy certainly deserves better," Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma told Sky Sports.
The captain’s words underscored the collective sense of disappointment that has settled over the country. In a surprising twist, the federation turned back the clock and rehired Roberto Mancini, the manager who guided Italy to Euro glory five years ago.
"We have to work. The only way forward is to work," Donnarumma added, echoing Mancini’s pragmatic approach. "Now we have a new coach, the return of Mr. Mancini, and our goal is to rebuild and bring Italy back to the place it deserves to be." The captain continued, "I know it’s not easy for the fans, but especially for us, because we know how much it means to play in a competition like the World Cup.
We’ll give everything to restore Italy to its rightful position. History has taught us that Italy should always be there, so we must bring the Azzurri back to where they belong." Indeed, Italy’s place among Europe’s elite is undeniable, yet the team has been far from that level for several years. The most recent World Cup debacle is just the latest chapter in a long‑running decline that began after the 2006 triumph.
Two decades later, the penalty‑shootout victory over France remains Italy’s last appearance in a World Cup knockout round, and the Azzurri have recorded only one World Cup win since then—a 2‑1 victory over England in Brazil 2014. While the 2012 European Championship run, which saw Italy reach the final, offered a brief resurgence, the nation has struggled to replicate that form. Several factors contribute to the malaise.
First, Italy no longer produces the world‑class talent that defined the 2006 squad, which featured icons such as Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso and Alessandro Del Piero. By 2012, that generation was still present through veterans like Gianluigi Buffon, Daniele De Rossi and Andrea Pirlo, but the retirement of stalwarts Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci has left a void that the younger generation has yet to fill. Statistical evidence highlights the problem.
According to the CIES Football Observatory, between 2020 and 2025 Italy exported only 413 players abroad, ranking 24th worldwide—behind the United States, Japan and Russia. By contrast, each of the other four nations in Europe’s “big five” leagues produced more than 1,000 exported players in the same period. Italian talent, whether seasoned or emerging, simply does not attract the same interest from Europe’s top clubs.
The scarcity of young talent is also evident in the national team’s composition. From June 2025 to February 2026, only one capped player under the age of 24—Inter’s forward Pio Esposito—featured for Italy, whereas England fielded a dozen youngsters in the same window. Moreover, in 2025 Italy allocated a mere 1.9 percent of Serie A minutes to players under 21, the second‑lowest figure among the world’s top 50 leagues, surpassed only by the United Arab Emirates Pro League.
These developmental shortcomings have rippled into Serie A’s overall quality. While clubs have splurged on high‑profile veterans such as Kevin De Bruyne, Luka Modrić and Jamie Vardy, the league has struggled to nurture home‑grown creativity.
Coaching turnover has further stifled innovation; managers like Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri, Gattuso, Luciano Spalletti and Maurizio Sarri have rotated among the top clubs without delivering fresh tactical ideas. Even this summer, Sarri moved to Atalanta and Allegri to Juventus, underscoring the lack of new perspectives. Occasionally, fresh approaches break through. Cesc Fàbregas’s appointment at Como sparked a remarkable turnaround that culminated in Champions League qualification, demonstrating how outside influence can revitalize Italian football.
Similarly, Ruben Amorim’s stint at AC Milan produced eye‑catching performances, hinting at the potential benefits of embracing novel tactics. There are encouraging signs that Italy’s fortunes may be shifting. Mancini’s first squad selection featured a blend of experience and youthful promise.
The 34‑man roster included nine uncapped players and eleven under‑23s, signaling a commitment to rebuilding from the ground up. Among the newcomers are 18‑year‑old Borussia Dortmund striker Samuele Inácio, Crystal Palace defender Honest Ahanor—who is set to join Chelsea—and Brentford’s Michael Kayode, all part of what the media has dubbed a "young revolution." Inter’s rising forward Pio Esposito, who has already netted five goals in nine appearances, joins the mix alongside FC Nürnberg’s Ali Zoma, a prolific scorer with 20 goals in 36 matches in Germany’s second division, and Sporting CP midfielder Issa Doumbia, who has been instrumental for his club this season.
This infusion of talent suggests that a new generation of Italian stars is emerging. "There will certainly be some established players. We’re getting older, but we’re still young, and there will also be some very young players joining the team," Donnarumma explained. "It will be a mixture, and we need to help these young players integrate well.
They can give us a great deal of help. They’re certainly talented players who need to play and gain experience, but I’m sure Italy will return to where it belongs." Italy now faces a daunting Nations League group, sharing Group A with Belgium, Turkey and France—three formidable opponents that will test the Azzurri’s renewed resolve. Yet, after years of darkness, the nation needs only a single spark to reignite its footballing legacy.
For a deeper analysis of Italy’s challenges and a preview of Roberto Mancini’s second tenure, tune in to The World Football Show this Thursday at 2 p.m. on Sky Sports News. The program will explore the tactical adjustments, player development strategies, and cultural shifts required to bring Italy back to the summit of world football.