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 new head coach of the Azzurri. Sky Sports Italy reported that the former AC Milan legend’s departure signals a fresh chapter in the federation’s search for a permanent manager.
According to the same source, former Italy boss Roberto Mancini now appears to be the favourite for the role. The FIGC’s president, Giovanni Malagò, is spearheading the recruitment process following Maldini’s exit, and Mancini has been consistently mentioned as his top choice.
While no final decision has been made, Mancini – who left his post at Qatari club Al Sadd in June – is currently the most prominent name on the shortlist. Antonio Conte, who led the national side from 2014 to 2016, is also being floated as a possible candidate, although the federation has not yet opened formal talks with the former Azzurri manager. Both Maldini and his close advisor, former striker Leonardo, resigned just sixteen days after the FIGC formally announced their appointments, underscoring the turbulence surrounding the coaching search.
The decision to halt discussions with Pirlo was taken on Sunday after concerns emerged about his affiliation with a Russian gambling company. The controversy over his role as a global ambassador for Fonbet – a firm that operates in a market heavily scrutinised because of the ongoing war in Ukraine – prompted several FIGC officials and politicians to question his suitability for the job.
In a recent Instagram post, Pirlo, a 47‑year‑old World Cup winner from 2006, defended his commercial relationship with the bookmaker. He wrote that his involvement was strictly commercial and sporting, and that he had always acted in full compliance with the laws of the countries where he worked. He added that attributing a political motive to his partnership was inaccurate, stating that he never expressed the convictions being ascribed to him. Pirlo’s withdrawal from the candidacy came after Pep Guardiola also turned down the offer.
The federation had approached the Manchester City manager with an ambitious plan that went far beyond a simple coaching contract. In meetings held in Barcelona, Maldini and Leonardo presented a comprehensive "Azzurro project" that would have seen Guardiola at the centre of a structural overhaul of Italian football, encompassing every national team level and aiming to rebuild the sport on a solid foundation after Italy’s failure to qualify for the expanded World Cup. Guardiola ultimately declined for personal reasons unrelated to football, leaving the federation to revisit other options.
Before approaching the Spaniard, the FIGC had also spoken with Carlo Ancelotti, but his existing commitment to the Brazil national team made him unavailable. The search now appears to be focused on Mancini, who previously guided Italy to Euro 2020 glory by defeating England in the final. He served as head coach for just over five years, from 2018 until his resignation in August 2023. In addition to the coaching vacancy, the FIGC is also evaluating candidates for Maldini’s former technical director position.
Former defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Giuseppe Bergomi, as well as veteran manager Claudio Ranieri, have been mentioned as possible successors. Their experience at the highest levels of Italian football could prove valuable in steering the federation through this period of transition.
Maldini’s resignation, together with Leonardo’s, marks the end of a brief but intense effort to revamp the national team’s structure after the Azzurri missed out on World Cup qualification for the third consecutive tournament. Their tenure was characterised by an ambitious vision that sought to modernise scouting, youth development and tactical approaches across all age groups. The saga continues to unfold as the FIGC balances sporting ambition with political sensitivities.
While Mancini remains the leading candidate, the federation must still navigate contractual obligations, public opinion and the broader geopolitical context that influenced Pirlo’s removal from contention. The final appointment will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike, as Italy aims to restore its reputation on the international stage and build a sustainable pathway for future success.