Paolo Maldini has stepped down from his post as technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) after the governing body decided not to move forward with Andrea Pirlo as the new head coach of the Azzurri, according to reports from Sky in Italy. The vacancy now appears to be most likely to be filled by former Italy boss Roberto Mancini, who has emerged as the federation's favourite choice.
FIGC president Giovanni Malagò is steering the selection process after Maldini’s departure, and Mancini, who left his role at Qatari club Al Sadd in June, is currently the leading contender. Former national team manager Antonio Conte, who led the Azzurri from 2014 to 2016, is also being mentioned as a possible alternative, although the federation has not yet opened formal talks with the former coach. Both Maldini and his adviser, former Italy legend Leonardo Bonucci, announced their resignations just 16 days after the FIGC officially announced their appointments. The decision to halt discussions with Pirlo stemmed from concerns about his association with a Russian gambling company, which raised political sensitivities given the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Maldini and Leonardo had been brought in to orchestrate a sweeping transformation at the federation after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the third straight tournament. Their mandate was to rebuild the national set‑up from the ground up, a task that now appears to be back on the drawing board.
Earlier this week, the federation confirmed that Pep Guardiola had also turned down the senior‑team job, which has remained vacant since Gennaro Gattuso stepped aside. The FIGC had even been ready to stretch its budget to accommodate the Catalan’s salary, hoping his presence could spark a radical overhaul of Italian football. Mancini, who previously guided Italy to Euro 2020 glory by defeating England in the final, held the head‑coach position for just over five years before resigning in August 2023.
His experience and recent success make him a logical pick for the federation, especially as they look to restore the team’s credibility on the international stage. In parallel with the coaching saga, the FIGC is also evaluating candidates for the technical director vacancy left by Maldini. Names such as Giorgio Chiellini, Giuseppe Bergomi and even veteran manager Claudio Ranieri have been floated as possible successors, each bringing a different blend of experience and perspective. Pirlo himself announced on Monday that he was no longer being considered for the role.
The former midfield maestro, now 47, had risen to the forefront of the race after Guardiola’s refusal, but his ambassadorship for Russian bookmaker Fonbet sparked criticism from some FIGC officials and politicians. In an Instagram post, Pirlo defended his commercial partnership, emphasizing that it was purely a business arrangement with no political connotations.
He also clarified that he would have to end his contract with United FC, the UAE Pro League side he currently manages, should he have taken the Italian job. The controversy over Pirlo’s link to Fonbet highlighted the delicate balance the federation must maintain between sporting decisions and broader geopolitical concerns. While the ambassadorial deal was presented as a standard sponsorship, the timing of the war in Ukraine made the association a flashpoint for public and internal debate.
Beyond the head‑coach discussion, the federation had previously met with Guardiola in Barcelona, presenting a comprehensive vision that went beyond a simple coaching contract. Maldini and Leonardo outlined an "Azzurro project" that would have seen the Catalan at the helm of a holistic rebuild encompassing senior, youth and women’s national teams.
The plan aimed to address structural issues that have plagued Italian football, especially after the recent failure to qualify for the expanded 2026 World Cup. Guardiola ultimately declined, citing personal reasons unrelated to football, leaving the federation to restart its search. Carlo Ancelotti was also approached before Guardiola, but his commitments with the Brazil national team made him unavailable. As the federation navigates these complex negotiations, it continues to engage the public through its media channels.
Followers can stay updated via the Sky Sports app, WhatsApp broadcasts and other digital platforms for the latest news, analysis and exclusive content. In summary, Paolo Maldini’s resignation marks a significant shift in the FIGC’s leadership landscape. While Roberto Mancini stands out as the current favourite to assume the senior‑team reins, the final decision remains pending.
Meanwhile, the search for a new technical director continues, with several high‑profile former players and coaches in the mix. The federation’s challenge now is to assemble a cohesive strategy that restores Italy’s competitive edge, rebuilds confidence after consecutive World Cup absences, and navigates the political sensitivities that inevitably accompany high‑profile appointments in today’s global sporting environment.