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 departure of Maldini, who had been hired to spearhead a sweeping reform of the national team structure, marks a significant shift in the federation's search for a permanent manager. In the wake of Maldini's exit, former Italy boss Roberto Mancini has quickly become the favourite to take the reins.
Sky's insiders say that FIGC president Giovanni Malagò is steering the recruitment process and has placed Mancini at the top of his shortlist. While a final appointment has yet to be confirmed, Mancini, who left his role at Qatari club Al Sadd in June, is now the most likely candidate to replace Gennaro Gattuso, whose contract ended earlier this year. Antonio Conte, who previously coached the national side from 2014 to 2016, is also mentioned as a possible option, although the federation has not made any direct approach to the former Azzurri manager.
Both Maldini and his close adviser, former striker Leonardo Bonucci, resigned just 16 days after the FIGC formally announced their appointment, underscoring the turbulence surrounding the coaching search. The decision to halt talks with Pirlo was taken on Sunday after concerns were raised about his association with Russian gambling operator Fonbet. Critics within the FIGC and among Italian politicians argued that the link could be politically sensitive given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Pirlo, a 47‑year‑old World Cup winner from 2006, responded on Instagram, insisting that his partnership with the bookmaker is purely commercial and that he has never expressed any political stance.
In his statement, Pirlo wrote: "After learning last night that I am no longer the candidate to lead the Italian national team, I believe it is my duty to clarify a few points. During my career, first as a football player and now as a coach, I have always carried out my activity in full respect to the laws of the countries I worked in and the contracts I signed." He added that attributing political meaning to his sponsorship deal was unfounded and that the agreement, signed in October, was strictly about promotion and sporting collaboration. At the time of his withdrawal, Pirlo was managing United FC in the United Arab Emirates Pro League.
The FIGC had previously approached Pep Guardiola, hoping the former Manchester City manager would accept the role and become the centerpiece of an ambitious "Azzurro project" designed to overhaul Italian football from the senior team down to the youth levels. According to reports, the federation was prepared to make a special budgetary adjustment to meet Guardiola's financial expectations. Maldini and Leonardo spent three days in Barcelona meeting the Catalan, presenting a vision that went far beyond a traditional coaching contract.
Their proposal envisaged Guardiola as the architect of a comprehensive restructuring aimed at restoring Italy’s status after the national team failed to qualify for the expanded 2026 World Cup – a historic low point for a country that had been a football powerhouse for decades. Guardiola ultimately declined, citing personal reasons unrelated to football, leaving the federation to restart its search. Before turning to the Spanish tactician, the FIGC had also reached out to Carlo Ancelotti, but the Italian coach is currently under contract with the Brazil national team, making him unavailable.
With Mancini now the frontrunner, the federation is also evaluating candidates for the vacant technical director post that Maldini vacated. Former defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Giuseppe Bergomi, as well as seasoned manager Claudio Ranieri, have been named as possible successors. Each brings a different blend of experience: Chiellini and Bergomi offer recent playing insight, while Ranieri provides a long‑standing managerial pedigree. Mancini’s résumé includes a five‑year spell as Italy’s head coach from 2018 to 2023, during which he led the Azzurri to an unexpected triumph at Euro 2020, beating England in a dramatic penalty shoot‑out.
He resigned in August 2023 after a mixed run of results, but his reputation for tactical flexibility and player management remains strong. Should he be re‑appointed, he would inherit a national side in transition, tasked with rebuilding confidence and restoring competitive credibility on the international stage. The broader context of this coaching saga reflects the deep challenges facing Italian football.
After missing out on World Cup qualification for the third consecutive tournament, the FIGC launched a sweeping reform agenda aimed at modernising scouting, youth development, and tactical philosophy. Maldini and Leonardo were brought in precisely to drive that change, but their brief tenure highlights how political, commercial, and personal factors can intersect in high‑profile appointments. In addition to the coaching question, the federation continues to grapple with the fallout from the Fonbet controversy.
While Pirlo defended his commercial ties, the episode sparked a debate about the appropriateness of sports figures aligning with companies from nations involved in geopolitical conflicts. The discussion has prompted the FIGC to tighten its vetting procedures for future appointments, ensuring that candidates’ off‑field affiliations do not jeopardise the organization’s reputation. As the search progresses, Italian fans and pundits alike are watching closely.
The nation’s footballing identity, built on a legacy of tactical ingenuity and passionate support, is at a crossroads. Whether Mancini returns to the helm, a new foreign manager is hired, or an unexpected domestic candidate emerges, the next head coach will have the daunting task of uniting a fragmented system, revitalising the senior squad, and guiding Italy back to the elite echelons of world football. For now, the FIGC remains in a holding pattern, with Malagò overseeing the process and awaiting a definitive decision.
The upcoming weeks will likely see further negotiations, possible press conferences, and perhaps a final announcement that could set the tone for the next chapter of Italian football, both on and off the pitch.