Silvio Baldini is the new coach of the Under-21 team: "It's a great source of pride for me." Barzagli will be the assistant.

Silvio Baldini is officially the new coach of the Under-21 national team . "The Italian national team is a source of great pride for me," was the new coach's first comment. "We have chosen a man of talent and values," explained FIGC President Gabriele Gravina. Alongside him, Andrea Barzagli, a 2006 World Cup winner and 2004 Under-21 European champion as a player, returns to Club Italia as assistant coach. Barzagli previously served as a technical assistant for the national youth teams, from the Under-20 to the Under-15 teams, between 2021 and 2023.

Baldini has the task of bringing Italian football back to the Olympics.

Baldini, 66, has a 36-year career, and was recently promoted to Serie B with Pescara. He will be tasked with leading Italy back to the Olympics. The Azzurri haven't participated since Beijing 2008, when they reached the quarterfinals, and haven't won a medal since Athens 2004, when they won bronze. The results of the Under-21 team over the next two years will be crucial to qualifying for Los Angeles 2028.