Paolo Maldini has announced his resignation from the position of technical director at 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, according to reports from Sky in Italy. The vacancy now appears to be dominated by former national team boss Roberto Mancini, who is widely regarded as the federation's preferred choice. FIGC president Giovanni Malagò has taken charge of the search process following Maldini's departure, and his inclination toward Mancini has been repeatedly highlighted in the media.
While a final decision has yet to be confirmed, Mancini – who left his post at Qatari club Al Sadd in June – remains the frontrunner. Former Italy manager Antonio Conte, who steered the national side from 2014 to 2016, is also mentioned as a possible contender, although the federation has not yet opened direct talks with the former Azzurri boss.
Both Maldini and his close adviser Leonardo Bonucci quit just 16 days after the FIGC officially announced their appointments. The decision came after a Sunday meeting in which the federation chose not to continue negotiations with Pirlo and his chosen back‑room staff, citing concerns about Pirlo’s commercial ties to a Russian gambling company. Those links raised political and ethical questions amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, prompting several FIGC officials and politicians to voice strong objections.
Maldini and Bonucci had been recruited to spearhead a sweeping reform of the Italian football system after the national team failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups – a historic low point that forced the federation to rethink its structure, talent pipeline, and overall strategy. Their brief tenure was intended to bring fresh ideas and a modern approach to a body that many felt had become stagnant. In parallel, the head‑coach vacancy has attracted interest from several high‑profile names.
Pep Guardiola, the highly successful Manchester City manager, was approached by the FIGC and reportedly offered a substantial budget increase to entice him to the role. According to Sky, Guardiola spent three days in Barcelona meeting with Maldini and Bonucci, during which they outlined an ambitious "Azzurro project" that would not only overhaul the senior squad but also reshape all of Italy’s youth and women’s national teams. The plan envisioned a long‑term cultural shift aimed at rebuilding Italian football on a solid, contemporary foundation. Ultimately, Guardiola declined, citing personal reasons unrelated to football.
After Guardiola’s refusal, the federation turned its attention to Carlo Ancelotti, who was also contacted but is currently under contract with the Brazil national team, making him unavailable. The next name on the list was Andrea Pirlo, the former midfield maestro and 2006 World Cup winner, who had become the leading candidate after Guardiola bowed out.
However, Pirlo’s ambassadorship with Russian bookmaker Fonbet, signed in October, sparked controversy. In an Instagram post, Pirlo defended his commercial partnership, emphasizing that his work has always complied with the laws of the countries where he has operated and that the agreement was purely commercial and sporting.
He argued that attributing a political motive to the sponsorship was unfounded and that he had never expressed any political convictions. Pirlo, who is currently managing United FC in the United Arab Emirates, indicated that he would have terminated his contract with the club to take up the Italian job, but the backlash over his Russian ties proved decisive. On Monday, he announced that he was no longer in contention for the role, effectively ending his brief candidacy. With Pirlo out of the picture, Roberto Mancini re‑emerged as the most viable option.
Mancini previously held the Italy head‑coach position from 2018 to 2023, guiding the Azzurri to a memorable Euro 2020 triumph over England before stepping down in August 2023. His experience, combined with his familiarity with the Italian football landscape, makes him an attractive choice for a federation seeking stability and a quick turnaround.
In addition to the coaching vacancy, the FIGC is also evaluating candidates for the technical director role vacated by Maldini. Former defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Giuseppe Bergomi, as well as seasoned manager Claudio Ranieri, have been mentioned as possible successors. Each brings a distinct perspective: Chiellini’s recent playing experience, Bergomi’s long‑standing involvement in Italian football, and Ranieri’s extensive managerial résumé across Europe.
The broader context of these developments is Italy’s failure to qualify for the expanded 2026 World Cup, a disappointment that has intensified calls for systemic change. The federation’s leadership is under pressure to deliver a coherent plan that restores the national team’s competitiveness and rebuilds the talent pipeline from the grassroots level up. The proposed "Azzurro project" under Guardiola would have been a radical overhaul, but even without his involvement, the FIGC appears committed to a comprehensive restructuring that goes beyond a simple coaching appointment. As the search continues, fans and pundits alike are watching closely to see whether Mancini will accept the offer and what his vision will be for the next phase of Italian football.
The outcome will shape not only the senior squad’s tactics and personnel but also the long‑term development strategy for all Italian national teams. The federation’s next moves will be crucial in determining whether Italy can regain its status as a football powerhouse after a period of unprecedented setbacks.