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. The vacancy has now turned into a contest in which former national team boss Roberto Mancini appears to be the favourite, with the FIGC president Giovanni Malagò steering the selection process. Mancini, who left his post at Qatari club Al Sadd in June, is currently the most prominent name on the shortlist. Although a final decision has yet to be taken, his recent experience – a five‑year spell as Italy’s head coach from 2018 to 2023 that culminated in a Euro 2020 triumph over England – makes him a logical choice for the role.
Another possible contender is Antonio Conte, who managed the Azzurri between 2014 and 2016, but the federation has not yet opened formal talks with him. Both Maldini and his advisor, former striker Leonardo Bonucci, resigned just sixteen days after the FIGC publicly announced their appointments.
Their departure follows a Sunday meeting in which the board decided not to pursue talks with Pirlo and his chosen candidate because of concerns about Pirlo’s commercial ties to a Russian gambling company, Fonbet, amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Maldini and Leonardo had been recruited to spearhead a sweeping reform of the Italian national‑team structure after Italy missed out on World Cup qualification for the third consecutive tournament. The plan was to overhaul the senior side and all youth levels, creating a unified "Azzurro project" that would rebuild Italian football from the ground up.
One of the most high‑profile names linked to the job – Pep Guardiola – also turned it down. The former Manchester City manager had been approached by the FIGC, which was prepared to stretch its budget to accommodate his salary, but he declined for personal reasons unrelated to football.
According to Maldini, he and Leonardo spent three days in Barcelona presenting Guardiola with a vision that went beyond a simple coaching contract, proposing that he become the centerpiece of a long‑term restructuring of every Italian national squad. Guardiola listened attentively but ultimately rejected the offer.
With Guardiola out of the picture, Pirlo briefly re‑emerged as the leading candidate. The 47‑year‑old former midfield maestro, a World Cup winner in 2006, had been a global ambassador for the Russian bookmaker Fonbet since October. The affiliation sparked objections from several FIGC officials and politicians, who argued that a partnership with a company linked to Russia was politically sensitive given the war in Ukraine. Pirlo defended his involvement in a heartfelt Instagram post, insisting that his relationship with Fonbet was purely commercial and sporting, and that he had never expressed any political views connected to the partnership.
He also noted that he was preparing to terminate his contract with United FC, the UAE Pro League side he was managing at the time, in order to take up the national‑team job. Meanwhile, the search for a successor to Maldini’s technical director role has opened up.
Former defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Giuseppe Bergomi, as well as veteran coach Claudio Ranieri, are all being mentioned as possible candidates to fill the vacancy left by the former AC Milan legend. In addition to Mancini, Carlo Ancelotti was reportedly contacted before the federation turned to Guardiola. Ancelotti, however, is currently under contract with the Brazil national team, making his appointment unlikely. The broader context of these developments is Italy’s continued struggle on the international stage.
The Azzurri failed to qualify for the expanded 2026 World Cup, a historic low that has prompted calls for a radical overhaul of the country’s footballing infrastructure. The FIGC’s ambition, as outlined by Maldini and Leonardo, was to create a cohesive system that would nurture talent from the youth levels up to the senior side, ensuring a consistent playing philosophy and a pipeline of players capable of competing at the highest level.
Mancini’s potential return would bring a familiar face back into the fold, offering continuity with the recent Euro 2020 success while also providing an opportunity to address the systemic issues that have plagued Italian football in recent years. His experience managing both club and country, combined with his knowledge of the domestic league, could prove valuable in bridging the gap between the federation’s long‑term project and the immediate need for competitive results. As the FIGC continues its deliberations, fans and pundits alike are watching closely to see whether the federation will opt for a proven Italian manager like Mancini or explore a more unconventional route.
The outcome will shape the direction of Italian football for the foreseeable future, determining whether the nation can recover from its recent setbacks and reclaim its place among the world’s elite.