The FIGC approached Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti about the job in Italy before Pirlo.

Mancini, 61, previously coached Italy from 2018 to 2023 and won Euro 2020, beating England in the final at Wembley.

He led the Azzurri to a world-record 37-game unbeaten run, but failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup (losing to North Macedonia in a playoff) and resigned in August 2023.

Another failure for Italy in the World Cup play-offs earlier this year meant they were absent from this summer’s tournament and spelled the end of Gattuso’s tenure, with his contract terminated in April by mutual agreement.

Despite their great stage successes, Italy has not appeared in a World Cup finals since 2014.

Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini temporarily took over after Gattuso’s departure.

A former Italy and Sampdoria midfielder, Mancini led Manchester City to their first Premier League title in 2012 and enjoyed success with Lazio and Inter Milan, winning the Coppa Italia with both and three Serie A titles with Inter.

He also spent time with Galatasaray and Zenit Saint Petersburg before taking the Italy job in 2018.

After leaving the Azzurri, he spent a brief spell with the Saudi Arabia national team before joining Qatar side Al Sadd.

Although they won the Qatar Stars League, they failed to reach the final four of the AFC Champions League Elite and lost in the Qatar Cup final. Mancini left his position at Al Sadd in June.

Italy will begin their Nations League campaign on September 25 at home to Belgium before traveling to face Turkey three days later.