The search for Italy’s next head coach has taken a dramatic turn, with La Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that Paolo Maldini could resign from his role if he does not receive approval to appoint Andrea Pirlo as the new Azzurri manager.
The impending crisis has shocked the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), as Maldini was appointed Technical Director and Head of “Club Italia” just 16 days ago as part of a new project to rebuild the national team following their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Maldini, alongside advisor Leonardo, initially targeted marquee names for the managerial role, initiating contact with Pep Guardiola while also considering Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto Mancini, and Antonio Conte, before ultimately zeroing in on Pirlo.
Pirlo appeared set to take charge of the national team after reaching a contractual agreement, with an official announcement expected on Tuesday. However, a non-sporting obstacle emerged at the final hour, threatening to derail the deal.
The roadblock centers around Pirlo’s ongoing role as a global ambassador for a Russian betting company. The association has triggered widespread political and public backlash in Italy, elevating the decision from a sporting choice to an embarrassing institutional crisis.
Italian politicians have intervened in the debate, calling on FIGC President Giovanni Malagò to block Pirlo’s appointment, prompting the federation to pause and evaluate the potential fallout before making any official statement.
However, Maldini’s firm stance places immense pressure on Malagò. The AC Milan legend views Pirlo as the ideal figure to lead the long-term project toward the 2030 World Cup, warning that backing down now would undermine the authority of the technical management he was brought in to lead.
