Paolo Maldini has announced his resignation from the position of technical director at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), a move that comes after the governing body decided not to move forward with Andrea Pirlo as the next head coach of the Azzurri. Sky Sports in Italy reported that the vacancy is now being contested primarily by Roberto Mancini, who has emerged as the federation’s preferred option. The search for a new manager is being overseen by FIGC president Giovanni Malagò, who has indicated that Mancini is his top choice. While a final decision has yet to be taken, the former Italy boss left his post at Qatari club Al Sadd in June and is currently the frontrunner for the role.
Former national team coach Antonio Conte, who led Italy between 2014 and 2016, is also mentioned as a possible alternative, although the federation has not yet opened direct negotiations with him. Both Maldini and his close adviser, former striker Leonardo, quit their positions only 16 days after the FIGC formally announced their appointment. The short tenure was triggered by a Sunday decision that talks with Pirlo – the candidate the duo had supported – would be halted because of concerns about his ties to a Russian gambling company, Fonbet. Those concerns were amplified by the ongoing war in Ukraine, prompting several FIGC officials and politicians to question the suitability of a coach linked to a Russian firm.
Maldini and Leonardo were recruited to spearhead a sweeping reform at the FIGC after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive tournament, a historic low for the nation. Their mandate was to overhaul the entire structure of Italian football, from the senior side down to the youth squads, and to restore the country’s reputation on the international stage. In parallel, the federation had also approached Pep Guardiola, who had been linked to the job since Gennaro Gattuso’s departure. Guardiola ultimately declined, citing personal reasons that went beyond football.
According to Sky, the FIGC had even been prepared to make a special budgetary adjustment to accommodate the Catalan’s salary demands. During a three‑day meeting in Barcelona, Maldini and Leonardo presented Guardiola with a vision that extended far beyond a simple coaching contract. Their proposal imagined Guardiola as the centerpiece of an "Azzurro project" – a comprehensive plan to rebuild Italian football on a solid, modern foundation, encompassing the senior team, the youth teams, and the overall development pathway. Guardiola listened attentively but chose to reject the offer.
After Guardiola’s refusal, the federation turned its attention back to Pirlo. The former midfield maestro, 47, had been the leading candidate after Guardiola stepped aside. However, his ambassadorship with Fonbet – signed in October as a purely commercial and sporting partnership – sparked a political controversy. Pirlo defended his involvement in an Instagram post, stating that he had always acted in full compliance with the laws of the countries where he worked and that the sponsorship was strictly business‑related.
He added that attributing political motives to the deal was unfounded, as he had never expressed such convictions. Pirlo’s own words read: "After learning last night that I am no longer the candidate to lead the Italian national team, I feel it is my duty to clarify a few points. In the last few days I have witnessed with great bitterness the debate that has developed around my name and the possibility of taking over the role of head coach of the Italian national team. During my career, first as a football player and now as a coach, I have always carried out my activity in full respect to the laws of the countries I worked in and the contracts I signed." The former World Cup winner from 2006 also announced that he would terminate his contract with United FC, the UAE Pro League side he was managing in Dubai, should he be appointed as Italy’s coach.
Nevertheless, the FIGC’s concerns about the sponsorship ultimately led to his removal from the shortlist. With Pirlo out of the picture, Roberto Mancini has resurfaced as the most viable option. Mancini previously served as Italy’s head coach from 2018 to 2023, guiding the Azzurri to a stunning Euro 2020 triumph over England before stepping down in August 2023.
His experience, combined with his recent availability after leaving Al Sadd, makes him an attractive candidate for a federation eager to restore credibility and success. Other names being floated for the technical director post that Maldini vacated include former defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Giuseppe Bergomi, as well as veteran manager Claudio Ranieri.
Each brings a different perspective: Chiellini and Bergomi are revered for their defensive mastery and long‑term service to the national team, while Ranieri offers a wealth of managerial experience across several leagues. In summary, the FIGC is at a crossroads. After a series of high‑profile overtures – from Guardiola to Pirlo – the organization now appears to be consolidating around Mancini as the preferred head coach, while still evaluating candidates for the broader technical director role. The federation’s ultimate goal remains to construct a sustainable, modern framework for Italian football that can prevent future World Cup absences and return the Azzurri to the pinnacle of the sport.
The coming weeks will be decisive as Malagò, Mancini, and potential technical directors negotiate the next chapter of Italy’s football renaissance.