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 next senior team manager, according to reports from Sky in Italy. The vacancy has sparked a fresh round of speculation, and former Italy boss Roberto Mancini now appears to be the favourite to take the helm.
The search for a new head coach is being overseen by FIGC president Giovanni Malagò, who confirmed that Maldini’s departure has opened the door for a new direction. While no final verdict has been issued, Mancini – who left his post at Qatari club Al Sadd in June – is widely regarded as the front‑runner.
His previous tenure with the Azzurri, which lasted a little over five years from 2018 to 2023, included the historic Euro 2020 triumph over England, and he resigned in August 2023 following a mixed run of results. Other names have also surfaced in the conversation. Antonio Conte, who guided Italy between 2014 and 2016, is reportedly being considered, although the federation has not yet made direct contact with the former national team manager. Meanwhile, former defender Giorgio Chiellini, veteran defender Giuseppe Bergomi and seasoned coach Claudio Ranieri have emerged as possible successors for the technical director role that Maldini vacated.
Maldini’s resignation was not an isolated move. His close adviser, former striker Leonardo Bonucci, also quit just 16 days after the FIGC formally announced their appointments. The duo had been brought in to spearhead a sweeping reform of the Italian football structure after the national side missed out on World Cup qualification for the third consecutive tournament – a humiliating setback that prompted calls for a radical overhaul. The decision to drop Pirlo from the shortlist was taken on Sunday after concerns were raised about his commercial ties to the Russian betting company Fonbet.
Pirlo, a 2006 World Cup winner and now manager of United FC in the United Arab Emirates, had been the leading candidate after Pep Guardiola declined the role. In an Instagram post, Pirlo defended his relationship with the bookmaker, emphasizing that the partnership was purely commercial and sporting, and that he had never expressed any political stance related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He also announced that he would no longer pursue the Italy job and would instead focus on terminating his contract with United FC.
Guardiola’s refusal to accept the position was also a turning point. The FIGC had reportedly been prepared to make an exceptional budgetary adjustment to lure the Manchester City legend, and Maldini and Leonardo spent three days in Barcelona outlining an ambitious "Azzurro project" that would go beyond a simple coaching appointment. Their vision involved a complete restructuring of Italian football, encompassing not only the senior side but all national age‑group teams, with the aim of rebuilding the sport on a solid, long‑term foundation after the recent failure to qualify for the expanded World Cup. Guardiola, however, turned down the offer for personal reasons unrelated to football.
Before Guardiola, the federation had also approached Carlo Ancelotti, but he remains under contract with the Brazil national team, making him unavailable. With the top‑level options narrowing, Mancini’s candidacy has gained momentum. His familiarity with the Italian squad, his recent experience in the Middle East, and his proven ability to win major trophies make him an attractive choice for a federation eager to restore credibility and success.
The situation also highlights the broader challenges facing the FIGC. The organization must balance sporting ambitions with political sensitivities, as demonstrated by the Pirlo episode, while also navigating the expectations of fans, sponsors and the media. The departure of both Maldini and Leonardo underscores the volatility of the current environment and the pressure on any incoming coach to deliver immediate results.
As the process continues, the FIGC has promised to keep the public informed. Fans can follow updates through Sky Sports’ app, WhatsApp channels and other digital platforms, where live coverage, analysis and insider commentary will be provided. In the meantime, speculation will likely persist, with pundits debating the merits of each potential candidate and the strategic direction the federation should adopt. Should Mancini be appointed, he will inherit a squad that is undergoing a generational shift, with emerging talents such as Nicolo Zaniolo, Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco expected to play pivotal roles.
The new technical director, whether it be Chiellini, Bergomi or Ranieri, will also have the task of aligning youth development pathways with the senior team’s tactical philosophy, ensuring a seamless pipeline of talent. In summary, Paolo Maldini’s exit marks the end of a brief but ambitious reform attempt, and Roberto Mancini now stands as the most likely successor to steer Italy’s national team forward.
The federation’s next steps will be closely watched by a nation eager to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite football powers.