Paolo Maldini has announced his resignation from the position of technical director at 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, Sky reports from Italy. The vacancy at the helm of the national side now appears to be gravitating toward former Italy manager Roberto Mancini, who is widely regarded as the federation's preferred choice. FIGC president Giovanni Malagò has taken charge of the search process following Maldini's departure, and Mancini has emerged as the front‑runner.
While a final decision has yet to be taken, Mancini – who left his post at Qatari club Al Sadd in June – is currently the most likely candidate to be handed the job. Former Italy boss Antonio Conte, who oversaw the national team from 2014 to 2016, is also being mentioned as a possible alternative, although the federation has not yet opened direct talks with him.
Both Maldini and his close advisor, former striker Leonardo Bonucci, quit their roles just 16 days after the FIGC formally announced their appointments. The decision to halt discussions with Pirlo, who had been the federation’s pick for head coach, was taken on Sunday after concerns were raised about his affiliation with a Russian gambling company. The controversy over Pirlo’s link to the bookmaker Fonbet – a company operating in a market that is politically sensitive due to the ongoing war in Ukraine – prompted several FIGC officials and politicians to voice objections. The Sky Sports app provides a live Transfer Centre for fans on the go, and the Premier League’s ins and outs are featured alongside the news.
Maldini and Leonardo were recruited to spearhead a sweeping reform at the FIGC after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third straight tournament, a historic low for the nation’s footballing pedigree. Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola also turned down the Italy job, which has been vacant since Gennaro Gattuso’s departure. Guardiola was approached by the FIGC and, according to reports, a special budgetary adjustment was prepared to secure his services.
Maldini and Leonardo spent three days in Barcelona meeting with Guardiola, presenting a comprehensive vision that went beyond a simple coaching contract. Their proposal envisaged Guardiola as the centerpiece of an "Azzurro Project" aimed at rebuilding Italian football from the grassroots up, encompassing senior, youth and women’s national teams. Despite the ambitious plan, Guardiola declined for personal reasons unrelated to football. Mancini previously held the Italy head‑coach position for just over five years, from 2018 until his resignation in August 2023.
During his tenure he guided the Azzurri to a historic triumph at Euro 2020, beating England in the final. His experience, combined with his recent availability after leaving Al Sadd, makes him a logical successor in the eyes of many within the federation.
In parallel with the coaching search, the FIGC is also evaluating candidates for the technical director role that Maldini vacated. Former defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Giuseppe Bergomi, as well as seasoned manager Claudio Ranieri, have been named as possible contenders to take over the strategic oversight of Italian football. Earlier on Monday, Pirlo publicly confirmed that he was no longer being considered for the head‑coach vacancy. The 47‑year‑old former midfield maestro had become the front‑runner after Guardiola’s refusal, but his ambassadorship for Russian bookmaker Fonbet – signed in October – sparked a backlash.
Pirlo defended his commercial partnership in an Instagram post, stating that his work has always complied with the laws of the countries where he has operated and that the agreement was purely commercial and sporting. He added that attributing political motives to the deal was unfounded, emphasizing that he has never expressed any political convictions related to the conflict.
Pirlo, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, is currently managing United FC in the United Arab Emirates Pro League. He indicated that he would terminate his contract with the Dubai club should he be appointed as Italy’s head coach, but the federation’s concerns over his Russian ties ultimately led to his removal from contention. Other high‑profile names have surfaced in the coaching conversation. Carlo Ancelotti was reportedly approached before Guardiola, but his existing commitment to the Brazil national team made him unavailable.
The federation’s willingness to explore a range of candidates underscores the urgency of finding a leader who can restore Italy’s fortunes after missing out on the expanded 2026 World Cup. The broader context of this leadership shuffle reflects a period of introspection for Italian football. The failure to qualify for the World Cup – a first since the 2018 tournament – has prompted calls for structural change, from youth development pathways to the senior team’s tactical philosophy. Maldini’s brief tenure was marked by an ambitious blueprint that sought to align the national teams under a unified playing style, a vision that now rests on the shoulders of his successor.
As the FIGC continues its deliberations, fans and pundits alike are watching closely to see whether Mancini will be reinstated, whether a fresh face like Conte or a seasoned tactician such as Ranieri will take the reins, and how the federation will navigate the political sensitivities surrounding potential appointments. The outcome will shape the direction of Italian football for the next several years, determining whether the Azzurri can rebound from recent setbacks and reclaim their status among the world’s elite.