Giovanni Malagò Emerges as Front-Runner for Italian Football Federation Presidency
Giovanni Malagò, the former president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), has emerged as the consensus candidate from Serie A to become the next president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). The 20 Serie A clubs are set to hold a decisive vote on his candidacy, with the powerful league throwing its support behind Malagò ahead of the FIGC presidential election on June 22.
According to sources, an unprecedented alliance of major clubs, including Juventus, AC Milan, Roma, and Napoli, has coalesced around Malagò. This broad support from the league's most influential clubs is considered crucial for any candidate seeking the FIGC presidency. Beppe Marotta of Inter Milan has been particularly active in rallying support for the former CONI president.
Malagò's primary opponent is the current president of Lazio, Claudio Lotito, who is making a last-ditch effort to assert his influence. Lotito is reportedly pushing for the federation to be placed under a temporary commissioner, a move that has also been suggested by the Minister for Sport, Andrea Abodi, as a potential solution in case of a deadlock. However, the strong, unified backing from Serie A makes Malagò the clear front-runner.
The support from Serie A is not just symbolic; the league holds significant electoral weight, controlling 18% of the vote in the FIGC's electoral college. For a candidate to be formally presented, they require the official nomination of at least three of the federation's member components. Serie A's endorsement is therefore a decisive and potentially decisive step for Malagò. Adriano Galliani, CEO of Monza, publicly endorsed Malagò, calling him "the best possible president," while Torino president Urbano Cairo also expressed his support.
Despite the strong backing from the top clubs, Malagò's path is not without its challenges. Some smaller Serie A clubs have expressed reservations, fearing he might support a reduction of the league to 18 teams. Furthermore, his candidacy does not have the full backing of the current government, with Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini having expressed a preference for a "fresh face." However, the unified front from Serie A's power clubs, including the recent and crucial support from Napoli's Aurelio De Laurentiis—who had previously clashed with Malagò—signals a powerful consensus.
Other potential candidates, including former footballers like Demetrio Albertini, Damiano Tommasi, and Alessandro Del Piera, have been mentioned as alternatives, but none have garnered the institutional support that Malagò now commands. The assembly of Serie A clubs today will serve as the first major test of his candidacy, with Malagò needing to secure a broad majority to feel confident of victory in the June election. The outcome will significantly shape the leadership and direction of Italian football's governing body for the next four years.
