Overview
- The FIGC announced on July 11 that Paolo Maldini has accepted the role of Direttore Tecnico and will also serve as president of Club Italia under a four-year contract running to 2030.
- Former AC Milan director Leonardo was named by Giovanni Malagò as Maldini’s advisor in the same deal to work across senior and youth national-team structures.
- Maldini’s remit gives him authority over the entire technical sector of the federation, which includes the men’s senior team and all youth national teams.
- Their immediate operational priority is to identify and appoint the next Italy head coach, a choice already generating media and betting odds that list names such as Roberto Mancini, Antonio Conte, Stefano Pioli, Andrea Pirlo and Pep Guardiola.
- The move follows consecutive World Cup qualification failures, the resignation of the previous FIGC president and Malagò’s election, and signals a four-year rebuilding plan that must contend with budget limits and a tight calendar ahead of Nations League matches and future qualifiers.