By Bilal Ahmed
Leadership Changes at FIGC
Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have resigned from their roles as technical director and adviser, respectively, at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). Their departure comes just 16 days after their appointments were officially announced. The resignations follow a period of discussions regarding the next head coach for the Italy national team, a position that has been vacant since Gennaro Gattuso’s departure.
Maldini and Leonardo were brought in to oversee significant changes within the FIGC, particularly after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive tournament. Their mandate included restructuring the Italian football system and identifying a new head coach, though reports indicate they were not given complete autonomy in their decisions.
Head Coach Search Developments
The search for Italy’s new head coach has seen several high-profile candidates considered and subsequently ruled out. Initially, the FIGC had approached Pep Guardiola to succeed Gattuso. Maldini and Leonardo met with Guardiola in Barcelona over three days, presenting him with a comprehensive ‘Azzurro project’ aimed at rebuilding Italian football from the senior national team down to other national teams. However, Guardiola ultimately declined the offer, citing personal reasons unrelated to football.
Following Guardiola’s rejection, Andrea Pirlo emerged as a leading candidate. Maldini and Leonardo had reportedly favored Pirlo for the role. However, talks with Pirlo were halted due to concerns over his association with Fonbet, a Russian gambling firm, where he serves as a global ambassador. This connection prompted objections from some FIGC officials and politicians, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Pirlo, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, defended his involvement with the company, stating his collaboration was exclusively commercial and sporting, not political.
Pirlo had been managing United FC in Dubai, a team in the UAE Pro League, and was reportedly prepared to terminate his contract there to take on the Italy head coach position. He announced that he was no longer in contention for the role after learning of the FIGC’s decision not to proceed with his candidacy.
Another prominent coach, Carlo Ancelotti, was also contacted by the FIGC before Guardiola. However, Ancelotti has a contract with the Brazil national team, making him unavailable for the Italy job.
New Candidates Emerge
With Pirlo, Guardiola, and Ancelotti out of the running, the focus has shifted to other potential candidates. Thiago Motta has emerged as a name that could potentially unify different factions within the FIGC, including the viewpoints of Maldini, Leonardo, and FIGC President Giovanni Malagò. Motta, who will turn 44 next month, previously coached Bologna to Champions League qualification and most recently managed Juventus until March 2025.
Motta’s profile is seen as a way to align with Maldini and Leonardo’s ambition for a fresh tactical direction, while also satisfying Malagò’s preference for an experienced leader. Motta’s playing career included stints with Genoa, Inter, and Paris Saint-Germain, and he represented Italy internationally. His managerial journey also includes roles at Genoa and Spezia.
Other coaches linked to the position include Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini, Raffaele Palladino, Stefano Pioli, and former Fiorentina boss Paolo Vanoli. The search for Italy’s next head coach continues.
Source: skysports.com
