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, according to reports from Sky in Italy. Maldini's departure has opened the door for former national team manager Roberto Mancini, who is now widely regarded as the federation's top choice for the role. The search for a replacement is being overseen by FIGC president Giovanni Malagò, who has publicly indicated that Mancini is his preferred candidate.
While no final decision has been announced, Mancini – who left his post at Qatari club Al Sadd in June – is currently the frontrunner. Former Italy boss Antonio Conte, who led the national side from 2014 to 2016, is also being mentioned as a possible option, although the federation has not yet made any direct approach to him. Both Maldini and his close adviser, former striker Leonardo Bonucci, tendered their resignations just 16 days after the FIGC officially announced their appointments. The resignation came after a meeting on Sunday in which the federation decided to halt discussions with Pirlo and the team that had supported his candidacy because of concerns about his affiliation with a Russian gambling company, Fonbet.
Maldini and Leonardo had been recruited to spearhead a sweeping overhaul of the FIGC after Italy missed out on qualifying for the World Cup for a third consecutive tournament. Their mandate was to rebuild the national programme from the ground up, a task that now appears to be in limbo. In the meantime, other high‑profile figures are being floated for the vacant technical director post that Maldini leaves behind. Former defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Giuseppe Bergomi, as well as veteran coach Claudio Ranieri, have all been named as potential successors.
On Monday, Andrea Pirlo announced that he was no longer in contention for the head‑coach job. Pirlo, 47, had become the leading candidate after Pep Guardiola ruled himself out. The former midfielder’s ties to Fonbet – a Russian bookmaker – sparked criticism from several FIGC officials and politicians, who argued that the partnership was politically sensitive given the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Pirlo, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, responded to the backlash in an Instagram post, stating that his involvement with the betting firm was strictly commercial and sporting, and that he had always acted in accordance with the laws of the countries where he worked. He emphasized that he had never expressed any political views linked to the company and that attributing such motives to him was unfounded. At the time of the controversy, Pirlo was managing United FC in the United Arab Emirates. The FIGC had previously engaged in talks with Guardiola, hoping to persuade the Manchester City legend to succeed Gennaro Gattuso, who left the post earlier this year.
According to Sky, the federation was prepared to make an exceptional budget adjustment to accommodate Guardiola’s salary demands. Maldini and Leonardo spent three days meeting with the Catalan in Barcelona, presenting a comprehensive "Azzurro project" that would not only place Guardiola at the helm of the senior team but also restructure the entire hierarchy of Italy’s national squads.
The proposed plan envisioned a radical transformation of Italian football, aiming to lay a solid foundation after the nation’s failure to qualify for the expanded 2026 World Cup. It would have involved revamping youth development, coaching education, and the overall strategic direction of the national programme. Guardiola reportedly listened attentively but ultimately declined the offer, citing personal reasons unrelated to football. Before approaching Guardiola, the FIGC had also reached out to Carlo Ancelotti, who was under contract with the Brazil national team at the time.
Ancelotti’s availability was limited, and the federation turned its attention elsewhere. With Mancini now the favourite, the federation faces the task of convincing the former coach to return after his resignation in August 2023. Mancini’s previous tenure, which lasted just over five years from 2018, saw Italy lift the Euro 2020 trophy with a dramatic penalty shoot‑out win over England. His departure was prompted by a series of disappointing results and a strained relationship with the FIGC hierarchy.
If Mancini accepts the role, he would inherit a national side that has struggled to find consistency since the Euro triumph, missing out on the 2022 World Cup and failing to secure a spot in the 2026 edition. The appointment would also signal a shift back to a more traditional Italian coaching philosophy after the federation’s brief flirtation with a high‑profile foreign manager. The situation remains fluid, and the FIGC has not set a definitive timeline for the final decision. Fans and pundits alike are watching closely, aware that the next head coach will have a monumental task: restoring Italy’s reputation on the international stage, rebuilding a pipeline of talent, and delivering results that match the storied history of the Azzurri.
In the meantime, the federation continues to promote its digital platforms, encouraging supporters to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis. The ongoing saga underscores the challenges Italy faces in modernising its football infrastructure while navigating political sensitivities and the ever‑changing landscape of global sport.