Turmoil in Italian Football
In recent hours, Italian football has plunged into uncertainty, with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) facing one of its most challenging periods. The appointment of Paolo Maldini as technical director for the Azzurra had initially sparked renewed hope for the national team. However, in less than two weeks, the unexpected decline of Pep Guardiola as potential head coach and Andrea Pirlo stepping back from consideration have severely undermined confidence in the Italian camp.
Italy has not qualified for the World Cup for three consecutive tournaments, and on Monday, Maldini and his associate Leonardo officially resigned. Newly elected FIGC president Giovanni Malagò plans to announce the new head coach later today, with reports suggesting that former coaches Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte are frontrunners. The next selection promises to be more than just a new hire; it signifies a potential return to familiar faces.
The Quick Turnaround of Leadership
The turmoil began on July 11 when Giovanni Malagò, then freshly elected FIGC president, appointed Paolo Maldini as the Azzurra’s new technical director alongside Leonardo. Just days later, on July 17, they traveled to Barcelona to extend an offer to Pep Guardiola for the national team’s leadership. This move generated considerable anticipation in Italy about revamping the national squad under Guardiola’s expertise. However, news soon broke that Guardiola had declined the role, citing personal reasons.
In addition, Maldini and Leonardo reached out to Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently managing Brazil and had never previously coached the Azzurra, intensifying the speculation regarding the national team’s future.
Pirlo Steps Aside Amid Controversy
Concurrent to these developments, Maldini and Leonardo had reportedly set their sights on Andrea Pirlo, a World Cup champion from 2006. However, controversy erupted when it became public that Pirlo was involved in advertising campaigns for a Russian sports betting company, creating public backlash that undermined his candidacy. Expressing his discontent on Monday, Pirlo stated his disappointment over the debate surrounding his name.
According to reliable sources from the Italian sports media, Malagò found Pirlo’s ties to the betting company problematic, particularly in relation to the national team’s future.
Candidates for the Azzurra’s Future
As the clock ticks, Malagò is expected to announce the new head coach of the Azzurra shortly. The primary candidates, as reported by various media outlets, are Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte. Mancini was the last coach to win a title with Italy, triumphing at the Euro 2020, but faced criticism for leaving in 2023 to coach in Saudi Arabia, a tenure that ended in 2024.
Conversely, Conte is well-remembered for creating a strong Azzurra squad for the Euro 2016, despite their exit in the quarter-finals. Mancini is seen as the option for a long-term project at a salary of 2 million euros per annum, while Conte represents a short-term plan at 5 million euros yearly, making him the favorite among Serie A clubs.
The next few hours promise to clarify the future direction for the Italian national team, and all eyes will be on Malagò as he makes one of the most consequential decisions in recent football history.