Paolo Maldini: Italian Football Federation technical director quits after just 16 days amid head coach saga
Paolo Maldini has stepped down as technical director of the Italian Football Federation after only 16 days in the role. The departure follows a breakdown in the process of appointing a new Italy head coach, with former player Andrea Pirlo removed from consideration due to his commercial ties with a Russian betting company.
Maldini and his adviser Leonardo were tasked with restructuring the national team setup following Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup. Their preferred choice for the head coach position was Pirlo, but resistance emerged within the federation regarding his ambassadorial agreement with Fonbet. Officials and politicians raised concerns about the association, leading to the decision not to proceed with his appointment.
The search for a successor to Gennaro Gattuso continues, with Roberto Mancini emerging as the leading candidate. Mancini, who left his post at Al Sadd in June, previously managed Italy to victory at Euro 2020. The Italian Football Federation is also evaluating figures like Giorgio Chiellini, Giuseppe Bergomi, and Claudio Ranieri to potentially fill the technical director vacancy created by Maldini’s departure.
Prior to this latest development, the federation had held high-level discussions with Pep Guardiola. Maldini and Leonardo had presented a vision for a long-term overhaul of the national team system to the former Manchester City manager, but Guardiola declined the offer for personal reasons. Carlo Ancelotti was also contacted, though he remains under contract with the Brazil national team.
Pirlo has defended his commercial dealings, stating that his contract with the betting firm is strictly professional and lacks any political dimension. He expressed frustration at the debate surrounding his candidacy, noting that he has always operated within the laws of the nations where he works. The federation now looks to stabilize its leadership as it navigates the ongoing head coach search.