Silvio Baldini has officially returned to his role as head coach of Italy Under-21s, with the FIGC also confirming the coaching structure across the Azzurri’s youth national teams.
Baldini had temporarily stepped up to lead the senior Italy side following the departure of former head coach Gennaro Gattuso earlier this year. He took charge of two international friendlies in early June, with Italy facing Luxembourg and Greece.
For those matches, Baldini selected a squad made up almost entirely of players he had worked with at Under-21 level. The move meant that most of the regular senior internationals remained at home after Italy’s disappointment in the World Cup.
Baldini has now resumed his permanent Under-21 position. He will continue to work alongside former Italy international and Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli, who remains assistant head coach.
The FIGC’s announcement follows confirmation of the new senior-team coaching staff on Thursday. Roberto Mancini has recently been re-appointed as head coach of Italy, with Gabriele Oriali, Leonardo Bonucci, Massimo Maccarone and Antonio Gagliardi among those set to support him.
The federation has now completed the appointments for the remaining Azzurri age groups.
There is also continuity at Under-20 level. Carmine Nunziata will stay on as head coach after briefly taking temporary charge of the Under-21s while Baldini was working with the senior team. Nunziata will be assisted by Luigi Di Biagio, while former Under-19 assistant Christian Maggio has been promoted to the Under-20 set-up.
Massimiliano Favo is the new Under-19 head coach. He replaces Alberto Bollini, who has moved up to join the senior Italy staff. Favo previously guided the Under-18 side to a third-place finish at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Daniele Franceschini will take charge of the Under-18s. Manuel Pasqual has been promoted to lead the Under-17s after previously serving as head coach of the Under-16 team.
Giovanni Costantino has been appointed Under-16 head coach, while Enrico Battisti will continue in charge of the Under-15s. Luigi Milani also remains responsible for the Under-14 side.
The wider youth structure will be overseen by Maurizio Viscidi, who remains overall co-ordinator of Italy’s youth set-up. Gianfranco Zola has also recently taken up the role of Youth Activities Project Co-ordinator.
The confirmed appointments establish a clear division between Baldini’s short-term involvement with the senior side and his regular responsibilities with the Under-21s. His return means the age-group team will once again be led by the coach who had been responsible for preparing many of the players selected during Italy’s June friendlies.
