Paolo Maldini is being heavily considered for a central role within the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), potentially leading a restructured ‘Club Italia’ encompassing the technical and youth sectors, according to reports in nazionale. The move comes following the election of Giovanni Malagò as the new FIGC president.
Malagò and Serie A clubs are reportedly in agreement that Maldini is the ideal candidate to oversee a complete overhaul of Italy’s technical structure. This would grant him full autonomy over the national team’s technical direction and youth development programs, uniting previously separate divisions under a single leadership. The initiative builds upon the vision of former FIGC president Gabriele Gravina.
Maldini, a legendary figure for both AC Milan and the Italian national team, has a distinguished playing career including 126 caps for Italy and a runner-up finish at the 1994 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. He recently served as technical director at AC Milan, where he played a key role in the club’s Serie A title win in 2022. Sources indicate Maldini is seeking a position with significant influence and responsibility, and the proposed role would offer precisely that.
Alongside the pursuit of Maldini, the FIGC is also prioritizing the appointment of a new national team manager, with Antonio Conte emerging as the leading candidate. Serie A club representatives are keen to have a voice in the selection process, seeking a manager with whom they can establish a collaborative relationship regarding player call-ups and national team schedules. Conte’s ability to quickly impact the team is seen as a key asset, despite Roberto Mancini’s recent success with the national team culminating in the Euro 2020 victory.
There is also speculation regarding a potential role for Gianfranco Zola within the restructured ‘Club Italia’, leveraging his experience and recent work with youth development initiatives in Serie C. The coming days are expected to bring further clarity as Malagò continues to build support for his vision, with a crucial federal council meeting scheduled for next week. The appointment of Maldini and Conte would signal a clear intent to revitalize Italian football and return the national team to prominence.
