In a move that shook the federation’s structure, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo step down from their positions after only two weeks, prompted by the veto of coach Andrea Pirlo for the Azzurra.
Italian football is experiencing another chapter of political instability. Just 14 days after their official appointments, technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo have resigned from their posts at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). The immediate decision is a direct response to interference from the entity’s leadership in the selection of the new head coach for the Italian national team.
The crisis emerged after president Giovanni Malagò vetoed the name of Andrea Pirlo. Pirlo’s nomination had been designed as the solution following failed negotiations with Pep Guardiola, and initially came with a promise of total autonomy granted to Maldini.
The catalyst for the friction
Maldini’s frustration with the federation president’s reversal was the trigger for the duo’s departure. The veto on Andrea Pirlo was motivated by intense political and social pressure. The coach, who currently manages United FC in the United Arab Emirates, maintains commercial ties with a Russian betting company, which generated strong public rejection in Italy, especially due to the ongoing conflict involving Ukraine.
“The federation’s interference, which ignored the autonomy promised to the professionals, made the work environment unsustainable for figures of Maldini and Leonardo’s caliber.”
Impact and the future of the Azzurra
With the early departure, the Azzurra must now contain internal strife to resume its sporting plans. Behind the scenes, the Italian press, through Sky Sport Italia, already indicates that Roberto Mancini is emerging as the main favorite to take over as coach of the national team.
For the football department, the name of Giorgio Chiellini is gaining traction in the federation’s corridors to fill the void left by Maldini. The entity’s objective is to seek historical figures with strong national identification to restore credibility and dispel the climate of uncertainty hovering over the national team. Fans, accustomed to the greatness of the jersey, await immediate answers.
