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 Sports Italy. The resignation of the former AC Milan legend and his advisor, Leonardo, comes just 16 days after the federation publicly announced their appointment to the technical leadership team.
The vacancy at the helm of the national side now appears to be leaning heavily toward Roberto Mancini, who is widely regarded as the federation president Giovanni Malagò's favourite candidate. While a final decision has yet to be taken, Mancini – who left his post at Qatari club Al Sadd in June – is currently the frontrunner.
Former Italy boss Antonio Conte, who led the Azzurri from 2014 to 2016, is also being mentioned as a possible alternative, although the FIGC has not yet opened direct talks with him. Maldini and Leonardo were recruited in the aftermath of a dramatic collapse that saw Italy miss out on World Cup qualification for the third consecutive tournament. Their mandate was to orchestrate a sweeping reform of the national set‑up, a task that now looks even more urgent after the recent coaching saga.
In parallel, the federation has begun to consider former players such as Giorgio Chiellini and Giuseppe Bergomi, as well as veteran manager Claudio Ranieri, for the technical director role that Maldini vacated. The coaching controversy began when the FIGC halted negotiations with Pirlo over concerns about his commercial ties to the Russian betting company Fonbet. Pirlo, a 2006 World Cup winner, serves as a global ambassador for the firm, a relationship that sparked criticism from several FIGC officials and politicians given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In an Instagram post, the 47‑year‑old former midfielder defended his involvement, emphasizing that the partnership was purely commercial and sporting and that he had never expressed any political stance. He also announced that he would no longer be in the running for the national team job. Earlier in the week, the federation had been in talks with Pep Guardiola, who was the top candidate after the Catalan coach declined the role. According to Sky Italy, the FIGC was prepared to make an exceptional budgetary adjustment to secure Guardiola’s services.
Over a three‑day meeting in Barcelona, Maldini and Leonardo presented a comprehensive "Azzurro project" that would not only appoint Guardiola as head coach but also overhaul the entire structure of Italian football – from the senior squad down to the youth teams – with the aim of rebuilding a sustainable foundation after the failure to qualify for the expanded 2026 World Cup. Guardiola ultimately rejected the proposal for personal reasons unrelated to football, leaving the federation to resume its search.
Carlo Ancelotti was also approached before Guardiola, but he is currently under contract with the Brazil national team, making him unavailable. Mancini’s résumé includes a five‑year spell as Italy manager from 2018 to 2023, highlighted by a triumph at Euro 2020 where the Azzurri defeated England in a dramatic penalty shoot‑out. He resigned in August 2023 following a series of disappointing results, but his experience and recent success in the Premier League with West Ham United have kept his name at the top of the shortlist. The departure of Maldini and Leonardo also raises questions about the future of the FIGC’s strategic direction.
Both men were tasked with modernising scouting, youth development, and tactical philosophy across all national teams. Their exit may delay or reshape the ambitious reforms that were being discussed with Guardiola.
Meanwhile, the federation continues to explore other high‑profile options for the technical director position, weighing the merits of former players turned coaches against seasoned managers with international experience. In addition to the coaching debate, the FIGC is dealing with broader issues affecting Italian football’s reputation and performance. The failure to qualify for the World Cup has prompted calls for a revamp of the domestic league’s youth academies, a reassessment of the relationship between Serie A clubs and the national team, and a more transparent governance structure within the federation itself.
As the story develops, fans and pundits alike are watching closely to see whether Mancini will be confirmed as the next head coach, whether a new technical director will be appointed to continue Maldini’s reform agenda, and how the FIGC will navigate the political sensitivities surrounding Pirlo’s sponsorship ties. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the strategic path of Italian football, as the federation strives to restore its standing on the global stage and build a competitive team capable of delivering success at future major tournaments.