Maldini appointed technical director of the national team. Leonardo named new advisor to the FIGC
The announcement was made on Saturday evening by the president of the Italian Football Federation, Giovanni Malagò. The two new executives will be tasked with identifying the next head coach of the Azzurri
Paolo Maldini is the new technical director of the FIGC. This was confirmed to the press on Saturday evening by the Italian Football Federation’s new president, Giovanni Malagò. Malagò has also appointed Maldini as president of Club Italia. Joining the former AC Milan player will be the Brazilian Leonardo, a trusted confidant of Maldini’s, who will take on the role of adviser.
Malagò, speaking on Tg2 Post, went on to explain that he had ‘always thought that Paolo Maldini might be the right person to oversee the technical side of the Italian Football Federation, which encompasses not only the senior national team but the entire youth national team system. Over the past two weeks we have been developing ideas and projects, and Paolo told me straight away that he would not only be happy, but that it would be right to bring Leonardo on board as an adviser. I am also very pleased about this because I have the deepest respect for him. They are two sides of the same coin. We have a four-year commitment that must take us, from now until 2030, to the next World Cup, via the European Championship.”
As for the national team’s new manager, “we’ll start thinking about it from now on. I haven’t spoken to anyone and I haven’t wanted to hear from anyone: it’s right to discuss the choice of the new manager with Maldini. I believe it’s right and respectful to discuss the decision; I know that the final responsibility lies with me and my colleagues on the Federal Council.”
Maldini, aged 58, was a Milan legend, both on the pitch and later as a director, as well as a mainstay of the national team with 126 caps, 74 of which as captain. Leonardo, born in 1969, played for Milan before going on to manage the club (2009–2010); his career was further enhanced by his role as a director at Paris Saint-Germain.
Together with Malagò, the pair’s first task will therefore be to identify the new Italy manager. Antonio Conte’s name is reportedly no longer at the top of the list. Roberto Mancini remains a likely candidate, but a third name cannot be ruled out for the managerial role either. Speculation continues to centre on Pep Guardiola – a name favoured by many for his track record, charisma and also his ties to Italia –: the Catalan manager is reportedly taking a six-month sabbatical following his departure from Manchester City and would be available from January.
