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. The decision, reported by Sky Sport Italy, has set off a fresh round of speculation about who will ultimately take charge of the national side. According to the same Sky report, former Italy boss Roberto Mancini is now the favourite to fill the vacancy.
The former Juventus and Manchester City manager, who left his post at Qatari club Al Sadd in June, has emerged as the frontrunner in the FIGC’s ongoing search. While a final appointment has not yet been confirmed, Mancini’s name is being mentioned repeatedly in the media, and he appears to have the backing of FIGC president Giovanni Malagò, who is overseeing the recruitment process following Maldini’s departure.
Mancini is not the only name being floated. Antonio Conte, who steered the national team between 2014 and 2016, is also reportedly on the shortlist, although the federation has not yet made any direct contact with the former Azzurri coach.
The pool of candidates remains wide, with former players and coaches such as Giorgio Chiellini, Giuseppe Bergomi and even seasoned manager Claudio Ranieri being discussed for the technical director role that Maldini will vacate. Both Maldini and his close adviser, former player Leonardo, resigned just 16 days after the FIGC officially announced their appointments. Their exit follows a Sunday decision to halt talks with Pirlo, whose candidacy was blocked because of his commercial ties to the Russian betting company Fonbet.
The controversy stemmed from concerns that the partnership could be perceived as politically sensitive given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Pirlo, a 2006 World Cup winner and former midfielder for Italy, publicly addressed the issue on Instagram.
In his post he explained that he had always acted within the legal frameworks of the countries where he worked, and that his relationship with Fonbet was purely commercial and sporting. He insisted that attributing political motives to his ambassadorial role was inaccurate, and he clarified that he would not be taking the head‑coach job. At the time of the announcement, Pirlo was managing United FC in the United Arab Emirates, a position he was prepared to leave in order to assume the national team role. The saga also reveals that the FIGC had previously approached Pep Guardiola, the former Manchester City manager, to succeed Gennaro Gattuso, whose tenure ended without a permanent replacement.
According to Sky, the federation was even willing to make an exceptional budgetary adjustment to secure Guardiola’s services. Over three days, Maldini and Leonardo met with Guardiola in Barcelona to present a sweeping vision for Italian football – a project that would not only involve the senior squad but also overhaul the entire national team structure, from youth to senior levels. The plan, dubbed an "Azzurro project," aimed to rebuild the sport on a solid foundation after Italy’s failure to qualify for the expanded World Cup and the European Championship. Guardiola ultimately declined, citing personal reasons unrelated to football.
Mancini’s own record with the Azzurri is impressive: he guided Italy to triumph at Euro 2020, beating England in a dramatic penalty shoot‑out, and served as head coach for just over five years before resigning in August 2023. His experience, combined with his recent availability after leaving Al Sadd, makes him a logical choice for the federation, especially as they seek stability after a period of turbulence. In addition to the coaching vacancy, the FIGC is also searching for a successor to Maldini’s technical director role. Names such as Chiellini, Bergomi and Ranieri have been mentioned, each bringing a different blend of playing experience and managerial insight that could help steer Italian football through its current rebuilding phase.
The broader context of these developments is the ongoing disappointment of the Italian national team, which missed out on World Cup qualification for the third consecutive tournament. This failure has prompted a comprehensive review of the country’s footballing infrastructure, talent development pathways and strategic direction. The FIGC’s willingness to consider high‑profile, even unconventional, candidates like Guardiola underscores the urgency with which they view the need for systemic change.
While the final decision on the head‑coach position remains pending, the narrative is clear: the federation is actively seeking a leader who can restore Italy’s standing on the international stage, mend the fractures exposed by recent setbacks, and deliver a cohesive, forward‑looking plan for the future of the Azzurri. Whether Mancini ultimately receives the appointment or another figure steps in, the next few weeks will be decisive for the direction of Italian football.