Silvio Baldini is the new coach of the Italy Under-21 team. The 1958-born coach, who secured promotion to Serie B with Pescara a month ago following a playoff victory over Ternana, replaces Carmine Nunziata, who led the Azzurrini until the European Championships in Slovakia in June. Nunziata, who began his coaching career in Sardinia with Arzachena and Alghero, returns to the Under-20 team after two years.
Baldini will have Andrea Barzagli as his assistant. In September, the Italy Under-21 team will begin qualifying for the 2027 European Championship, which also offers a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. "The Italian national team is a source of great pride for me," Baldini commented. "I'm happy and excited. I thank President Gravina for the opportunity and his trust: I'm gratified that he was curious about my career and thought of me for this role . Wearing the Italian national team is a source of great pride, and I'll try to instill this strong sense of identity and belonging in the boys. From a technical standpoint, I'm convinced we can do very well, but the only way I know to achieve results is through hard work, and that's why I can't wait to get started."
"We've entrusted the U21 national team to an excellent coach, a man of great talent and values," said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina. "Baldini has the human qualities and technical knowledge to lead the Azzurrini to a significant leap in quality. Our primary goal is participation in the Los Angeles Olympics, which is why I shared with Maurizio Viscidi and Gianluigi Buffon the need to entrust ourselves to an experienced leader capable of building a medium- to long-term project ."
Maurizio Viscidi has been confirmed as Italy's youth coach, reporting directly to national team coach Gennaro Gattuso . He will be joined by assistant coordinator Daniele Zoratto. Alberto Bollini has been confirmed as the Under-19 coach, while Massimiliano Favo moves to the Under-18 team, leaving the Under-17s to Daniele Franceschini. Manuel Pasqual is the new addition: the former defender will lead the Under-16 team.
