Former Italian national team technical director Paolo Maldini has revealed that his brief tenure with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) collapsed after executive agreements regarding managerial appointments were abruptly rewritten, according to a detailed interview published by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
The Breakdown of FIGC Agreements and the Pirlo Dispute
According to Paolo Maldini, Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) President Giovanni Malagò contacted him during Easter with an offer to rebuild the national setup. Maldini accepted the role alongside Leonardo, establishing a brand-new technical direction office that had never previously existed within the FIGC. However, Maldini stated that terms changed rapidly when the discussion shifted to hiring a new head coach.
Maldini explained to Corriere della Sera that his initial agreement with Giovanni Malagò granted his team the authority to select the coach. Frictions surfaced when Giovanni Malagò allegedly telephoned Maldini and Leonardo to state that Andrea Pirlo could not be hired and that executive management would decide the coach independently. Maldini rejected this pivot, noting that trust had broken down entirely and leading him to abandon a four-year contract scheduled to begin on August 1.
Pep Guardiola Pursuit and the De Rossi and Grosso Alternatives
Before targeting Andrea Pirlo, Maldini and Leonardo traveled to Barcelona to pitch the national team job to Pep Guardiola. According to Maldini’s interview, Guardiola spent an entire day in discussions with them, reviewing rosters from the under-17 level upwards and even sketching formations on paper. Maldini noted that financial terms were never a barrier, as Guardiola requested a salary one euro lower than the previous head coach. Ultimately, Guardiola declined due to sheer exhaustion after a decade in the English Premier League and a recent back operation.
Following Guardiola’s refusal, Maldini and Leonardo considered Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi, and Fabio Grosso. Pirlo’s candidacy drew intense public scrutiny due to his association with the Russian betting agency Fonbet. While Maldini maintained that no legal barriers blocked Pirlo—who was willing to sever ties with the betting agency—the FIGC president reportedly intervened. Giovanni Malagò informed them that, based on the political agreements supporting his election with the backing of all Serie A clubs except Lazio, the federation could not poach managers currently under contract with Serie A teams.
Future Outlook for Italian Football Reforms
Reflecting on the wider sporting landscape, Maldini expressed skepticism regarding the federation’s direction under current staffing choices. While acknowledging that welcoming figures like Ranieri represents a positive asset, Maldini warned Corriere della Sera that the federation risks prioritizing short-term national team results over the deep structural overhaul Italian football urgently requires.
Did you know? Paolo Maldini and Leonardo introduced the concept of a dedicated technical direction office to the FIGC for the very first time during their brief discussions at Coverciano.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Paolo Maldini resign from the FIGC?
According to his interview with Corriere della Sera, Paolo Maldini resigned because executive agreements regarding autonomy in choosing the national team coach were unilaterally altered by federation leadership, destroying working trust.
Was Pep Guardiola close to coaching Italy?
Yes. Paolo Maldini stated that Pep Guardiola spent a full day in talks with him and Leonardo in Barcelona, studying youth rosters and discussing tactics, but ultimately declined due to physical exhaustion and back surgery.
Who were the alternative coaches considered by Maldini?
Maldini confirmed that alongside Andrea Pirlo, his technical team evaluated Daniele De Rossi and Fabio Grosso for the national team role.
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