Paolo Maldini has announced his resignation from the position of technical director at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), a move that follows the federation's decision to rule out Andrea Pirlo as the next head coach of the Azzurri. According to reports from Sky Sports Italy, the vacancy is now being eyed primarily by former national team manager Roberto Mancini, who has re‑emerged as the federation's favourite candidate. The search for a new coach is being overseen by FIGC president Giovanni Malagò, who took charge of the process after Maldini’s departure. While no final appointment has been confirmed, Mancini—who left his post at Qatari club Al Sadd in June—has quickly become the frontrunner.
His previous tenure with Italy, which lasted just over five years from 2018 to 2023, included the historic triumph at Euro 2020, where the Azzurri defeated England in the final. Mancini stepped down in August 2023 after a mixed spell that saw both successes and criticism. Another name that has been mentioned is Antonio Conte, the former Italy manager from 2014 to 2016. Although his profile remains high, the federation has not yet made any direct approach to the former Azzurri boss.
Meanwhile, the technical director role that Maldini vacated is also attracting interest; former defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Giuseppe Bergomi, as well as seasoned coach Claudio Ranieri, are reportedly being considered to fill the spot. Maldini’s exit, together with that of his advisor Leonardo, came just 16 days after the FIGC publicly announced their appointments. The pair had been tasked with orchestrating a sweeping overhaul of Italian football after the national team missed out on World Cup qualification for the third straight tournament—a first‑time low for the country. Their resignation underscores the turbulence within the federation as it scrambles to rebuild.
The decision to drop Pirlo from consideration was made on Sunday after concerns surfaced regarding his commercial ties to the Russian betting firm Fonbet. Pirlo, a 2006 World Cup winner and former midfield maestro, had been the leading candidate after Pep Guardiola declined the role. In an Instagram post, Pirlo defended his relationship with the bookmaker, stating that the partnership was strictly commercial and sporting, and that he had never expressed any political stance related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
He also announced that he would terminate his contract with United FC, the UAE Pro League side he was managing, should he be appointed head coach of Italy. Guardiola’s name had also been in the mix.
The former Manchester City and Barcelona manager was approached by the FIGC, which was reportedly prepared to make a special budgetary adjustment to secure his services. Over a three‑day meeting in Barcelona, Maldini and Leonardo presented Guardiola with a comprehensive vision that went beyond a simple coaching contract. Their proposal envisioned Guardiola as the centerpiece of an "Azzurro project" aimed at rebuilding Italian football from the grassroots up, encompassing senior, youth, and women’s national teams. The plan sought to address structural issues that had contributed to Italy’s failure to qualify for the expanded 2026 World Cup.
Despite the ambitious scope, Guardiola turned down the offer for personal reasons unrelated to football. Carlo Ancelotti was also reportedly contacted before Guardiola, but his current commitment to the Brazil national team made him unavailable.
With the coaching vacancy still open, the FIGC continues to explore all options while also dealing with the fallout from Pirlo’s disqualification. The situation highlights the broader challenges facing Italian football: the need for a clear strategic direction, the management of commercial affiliations, and the pressure to restore the national team’s prestige on the international stage. In addition to the coaching search, the federation is looking to fill Maldini’s technical director seat. Potential candidates include Chiellini, who retired from playing in 2022 and has begun a coaching career, Bergomi, a veteran of Italy’s 1982 World Cup triumph, and Ranieri, whose extensive managerial résumé includes stints at clubs across Europe and a brief spell with the national side.
Each brings a different set of experiences that could help steer the FIGC through its current rebuilding phase. The broader context of these developments cannot be ignored.
Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup—an expanded tournament featuring 48 teams—has been a national shock, prompting calls for systemic reform. The FIGC’s leadership, under Malagò, is under intense scrutiny to deliver a plan that not only restores competitive results but also modernises the sport’s governance, youth development pathways, and commercial partnerships.
As the story unfolds, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see whether Mancini will accept the role and whether the federation can finally settle on a coherent, long‑term strategy. The next few weeks will be decisive for the future of Italian football, as the FIGC attempts to turn a period of crisis into an opportunity for renewal.