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 vacancy now appears to be heading toward former national team boss Roberto Mancini, who is currently the federation's preferred choice.
FIGC president Giovanni Malagò has taken charge of the selection process following Maldini's departure, and Mancini has quickly become the front‑runner. While no final decision has been taken, the former Italy manager, who left his post at Qatari club Al Sadd in June, is being strongly favoured. Another name that keeps resurfacing is Antonio Conte, who led the national side from 2014 to 2016, but the federation says there has been no direct outreach to the former Azzurri coach.
Both Maldini and his adviser, former striker Leonardo Bonucci, announced their resignations just 16 days after the FIGC publicly confirmed their appointments. The decision to halt talks with Pirlo stemmed from concerns about his association with a Russian gambling company, which many officials and politicians deemed problematic given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Maldini and Leonardo were recruited to spearhead a sweeping reform at the FIGC after Italy missed out on World Cup qualification for the third straight tournament. Their mandate was to overhaul the national‑team structure, youth development pathways and the overall strategic direction of Italian football.
The search for a new technical director to replace Maldini now includes former defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Giuseppe Bergomi, as well as veteran coach Claudio Ranieri. Earlier on Monday, Pirlo announced that he was no longer in contention for the head‑coach job. The 47‑year‑old former midfielder had become the leading candidate after Pep Guardiola ruled himself out. Pirlo’s link to the Russian bookmaker Fonbet – where he serves as a global ambassador – sparked a backlash.
He defended the relationship in an Instagram post, emphasizing that his work with the company was purely commercial and sporting, and that he had never expressed any political stance. He added that he would have terminated his contract with United FC in the UAE Pro League if the coaching role had materialised. Guardiola, who was approached by the FIGC to succeed Gennaro Gattuso, ultimately declined the offer for personal reasons unrelated to football.
According to Sky Italy, Maldini and Leonardo spent three days in Barcelona meeting with the former Manchester City manager, presenting a vision that went far beyond a simple coaching contract. Their proposal envisioned Guardiola as the centerpiece of an "Azzurro project" aimed at rebuilding Italian football from the ground up – a comprehensive overhaul that would involve the senior side as well as all youth national teams.
The plan was intended to restore Italy’s standing after the nation failed to qualify for the expanded 2026 World Cup. Mancini, who previously guided Italy to Euro 2020 glory by beating England in the final, resigned from the national team in August 2023 after a five‑year stint.
Since then, he has been linked to the vacant head‑coach role, and his recent departure from Al Sadd has left him available. While his candidacy is strong, the federation has not yet issued a formal invitation. Other high‑profile names have surfaced in the coaching race.
Carlo Ancelotti was reportedly contacted before Guardiola, but he remains under contract with the Brazil national team. The FIGC has also hinted at possible involvement from former players turned coaches, such as Chiellini and Bergomi, who could take on the technical director position and continue the reform agenda initiated by Maldini. The saga highlights the complexities of modern football administration, where sporting decisions are increasingly intertwined with political sensitivities and commercial interests. The FIGC’s attempt to balance a visionary overhaul with the need to appease public opinion and governmental concerns has resulted in a protracted selection process.
As the federation continues its search, fans and pundits alike are watching closely to see which experienced manager will ultimately take the reins of the Azzurri and whether the ambitious project outlined by Maldini and Leonardo will ever be realised. Meanwhile, Sky Sports encourages its audience to stay updated via its app, WhatsApp channel and other digital platforms for the latest news, analysis and exclusive content surrounding the ongoing developments within Italian football.