Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have resigned from their positions with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) after just sixteen days, citing a breakdown in trust and differing visions for the future of the national team. The departures were confirmed following a meeting with FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, who acknowledged the irreconcilable differences between the parties.
According to reports, the core of the disagreement revolved around the appointment of a new national team coach. Maldini and Leonardo favored developing a coach from within, specifically former midfielder Andrea Pirlo, while Gravina prioritized an experienced manager capable of delivering immediate results. This divergence in opinion was exacerbated by concerns regarding sponsorship and public perception surrounding Pirlo’s candidacy, particularly given Italy’s recent failure to qualify for consecutive World Cups.
The situation reportedly deteriorated after initial attempts to secure high-profile managers Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola proved unsuccessful. Gravina then suggested experienced options like Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte, proposals Maldini and Leonardo were unwilling to consider. Concerns were raised about Mancini’s abrupt departure from the national team in 2023 and Conte’s tendency to move clubs frequently, deemed a risk too great with the 2028 European Championship and 2032 World Cup on the horizon.
Maldini and Leonardo communicated their lack of confidence in the project to Gravina, stating they lacked the necessary decision-making autonomy and mutual trust to proceed effectively. This led to a swift resolution, with the FIGC president accepting their resignations. A consensual termination of their contracts is expected to be finalized shortly. The FIGC now faces the task of appointing both a new director and a new national team coach, a process that will likely involve further negotiations and consideration of various candidates. The swift unraveling of this appointment marks a turbulent start to a crucial period for Italian football.
