In the wake of a seismic shock for Italian football, the national team is turning to a familiar face to steady the ship. Silvio Baldini, the current coach of Italy's Under-21 side, has been appointed interim manager for the senior team's upcoming friendlies next month.

The announcement comes just ten days after Italy's painful penalty shootout loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina, a result that confirmed the unthinkable: the four-time World Cup champions will miss the tournament for a third consecutive time. This latest failure triggered immediate fallout, leading to the resignations of federation president Gabriele Gravina and head coach Gennaro Gattuso.

Now, the 67-year-old Baldini steps into the breach. His immediate task is to guide the Azzurri through away fixtures against Luxembourg on June 3rd and Greece on June 7th. These matches represent a critical first step in rebuilding morale and identity for a proud footballing nation in crisis.

Baldini's role is expected to be temporary, with a permanent appointment likely to follow the election of a new federation president on June 22nd. The rumor mill is already spinning with high-profile names linked to the job, with former boss Antonio Conte—currently at Napoli—tipped as a favorite for a dramatic return. Other contenders in the frame include Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi, and Massimiliano Allegri, setting the stage for a major decision that will define Italy's path forward.