No contact has been made with Roberto Mancini over a possible return to the Italy job, Giovanni Malago insisted after taking over as the new president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

The Azzurri are hunting a new head coach after parting ways with Gennaro Gattuso following their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

After also missing the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, Italy are the first former champions to miss three consecutive editions of the competition. 

Mancini, who led the Azzurri to victory over England in the Euro 2020 final, was immediately touted as a contender for the role, having surprisingly resigned in 2023 to take the Saudi Arabia job, where he only lasted a year.

Massimiliano Allegri and Pep Guardiola had also been linked with the role, though the former is likely to take charge of Napoli and the latter is expected to take a break from coaching after leaving Manchester City.

After replacing Gabriele Gravina at the helm of the FIGC, Malago was asked whether Mancini was the favourite for the job, ahead of another former Azzurri coach in Antonio Conte.

"I have not spoken to anyone about the Italy job and nobody can tell you any differently," he said.

"We will begin thinking about that from now. We need to look at other critical issues.

"I made a crazy decision, out of love, running for this position. I had not put forward my candidacy, but I was pulled into it. The new coach will have to embrace that.

"I will not opt for a figure who has a different vision to mine, he has to fully share it. We can't just say saddle up and get going. It has to be a total embrace, regardless of his CV."

Italy return to action in September and October for their opening Nations League fixtures, facing Belgium, France and Turkiye – the latter on two occasions – in an extended international break.