Paolo Maldini has stepped down from his position 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, Sky Italy reported. The resignation came just over two weeks after the federation officially announced Maldini and his adviser Leonardo’s appointment, signaling a rapid shift in the FIGC’s strategic direction. In the wake of Maldini’s departure, former Italy boss Roberto Mancini has emerged as the favourite to take the reins of the national side. FIGC president Giovanni Malagò, who is overseeing the search, has repeatedly indicated that Mancini is his top choice.
While a final decision has not yet been confirmed, the former Al Sadd manager – who left the Qatari club in June – is widely regarded as the front‑runner for the job. Mancini is not the only name circulating. Antonio Conte, who led Italy from 2014 to 2016, has also been mentioned as a possible candidate, although the federation has not yet opened direct talks with the former Azzurri coach.
Meanwhile, the technical director role that Maldini vacated is being eyed by several Italian football legends, including Giorgio Chiellini, Giuseppe Bergomi and veteran manager Claudio Ranieri. The chain of events began on Sunday when the FIGC halted discussions with Pirlo, Maldini and Leonardo after concerns were raised about Pirlo’s commercial ties to the Russian betting company Fonbet. The partnership, which began in October, sparked criticism from politicians and some FIGC officials because of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Pirlo, a 2006 World Cup winner and current manager of United FC in the United Arab Emirates, defended the relationship on Instagram, emphasizing that his agreement with Fonbet was purely commercial and sport‑related and that he had never expressed any political stance. In his Instagram post, Pirlo wrote: "After learning last night that I am no longer the candidate to lead the Italian national team, I feel compelled to clarify a few points. In recent days I have watched with great bitterness the debate surrounding my name and the possibility of taking over the role of head coach.
Throughout my career, both as a player and as a coach, I have always acted in full respect of the laws of the countries where I have worked and the contracts I have signed." He added that attributing a political meaning to his sponsorship was inaccurate and that his collaboration with Fonbet was strictly commercial. The controversy surrounding Pirlo’s sponsorship is part of a broader narrative about the FIGC’s struggle to find a stable leadership after Italy missed out on World Cup qualification for the third consecutive tournament. The federation’s earlier attempts to secure a high‑profile coach included overtures to Pep Guardiola, who declined the role for personal reasons unrelated to football. According to Sky Italy, the FIGC had even prepared a special budgetary package to accommodate Guardiola’s potential salary, reflecting the ambition to launch an "Azzurro project" that would overhaul not only the senior national team but the entire structure of Italian football.
Maldini and Leonardo spent three days in Barcelona meeting with Guardiola, presenting a vision that went beyond a traditional coaching contract. Their proposal envisaged the former Manchester City manager as the central architect of a comprehensive reform, aimed at rebuilding Italy’s footballing foundations after the nation failed to qualify for the expanded 2026 World Cup. The plan would have involved coordinated development across all age‑group national sides, a revamp of scouting networks, and a cultural shift toward a more modern, possession‑based style of play. Despite the thoroughness of the pitch, Guardiola ultimately turned down the offer, citing personal considerations.
With Guardiola out of the picture, the FIGC turned its attention back to Italian candidates. Pirlo’s withdrawal from the race left a vacuum that Mancini is now poised to fill.
Mancini’s previous tenure as Italy head coach lasted just over five years, from 2018 to August 2023, during which he guided the Azzurri to a historic Euro 2020 triumph, defeating England in the final. He resigned after a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign, but his experience and recent success in the Premier League with Chelsea have kept his reputation intact. The federation’s search for a new technical director also continues. While Chiellini, Bergomi and Ranieri are being discussed, the final appointment will likely depend on the candidate’s ability to work closely with the incoming head coach and align with the long‑term strategic plan that Maldini and Leonardo began to outline.
In addition to the coaching saga, the FIGC has been active on the communications front, encouraging fans to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, videos, analysis and more. The organization also highlighted promotional offers such as the "Super 6" competition, where participants can win £250,000.
To summarise, the sequence of events can be traced as follows: Maldini and Leonardo were installed as technical director and adviser to spearhead a major reform after Italy’s third straight failure to qualify for the World Cup. Their first major task was to secure a world‑class head coach. After negotiations with Guardiola fell through, Andrea Pirlo emerged as the leading candidate but was removed due to his association with a Russian gambling firm amid geopolitical tensions.
Pirlo subsequently announced his exit from the candidacy, prompting Maldini to resign in protest or disappointment. The FIGC now leans heavily on Roberto Mancini as its preferred choice, while the technical director vacancy remains open, with several former players and coaches under consideration. The next few weeks will be crucial for Italian football. A definitive appointment of a head coach and a technical director will determine whether the Azzurri can rebuild their identity, restore confidence among supporters, and set a clear path toward future international tournaments.
The federation’s ability to navigate the political sensitivities surrounding sponsorships, manage high‑profile coaching negotiations, and implement a cohesive development strategy will be the key factors shaping Italy’s footballing future.