José Mourinho has proposed a radical restructuring of Italian football, centered on appointing Massimiliano Allegri as national team coach and Giovanni Malagò as president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). The former Roma and Inter manager laid out his vision in an extensive interview with Sport Mediaset, advocating for an entirely Italian-led solution to revive the national team's fortunes following its failure to qualify for the last two World Cups.
Mourinho dismissed the idea of hiring a foreign coach for the Azzurri, a notion that has circulated since Luciano Spalletti's side struggled. "I don't think it's necessary," Mourinho said. "Italy has coaches with charisma, quality, experience... You can't have Carletto [Ancelotti], but you can have Max [Allegri] or Antonio [Conte], and there would surely be others." He specifically endorsed Allegri, a six-time Serie A winner currently without a club after leaving Juventus last year, as a strong and concrete candidate accustomed to managing pressure and winning.
The Portuguese coach's proposal extends far beyond the technical area. He called for a complete overhaul starting from the grassroots, citing Portugal's successful model of youth development as a blueprint. Mourinho highlighted the contrast between the depth of talent available to the Portuguese national team and the current struggles in Italy. To oversee this structural change, he strongly endorsed Giovanni Malagò, the current president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), for the FIGC presidency.
Mourinho referred to this dual appointment as the "combo M&M" – Malagò and Max – describing it as a precise vision rather than a simple slogan. He believes Malagò's extensive experience in sports administration is crucial for changing the foundational structure of Italian football, noting Italy's strength in Olympic sports as evidence of potential.
In the same interview, Mourinho ruled himself out of contention for the Italy job or any national team role for the foreseeable future. "It's not yet the moment," he stated, explaining that he cannot yet imagine a life without the daily rhythm and emotional engagement of club management. He also commented on the impending Serie A title win for Inter, praising the work of coach Simone Inzaghi and the path taken by former teammate Cristian Chivu in his coaching career.
Mourinho's comments come at a critical juncture for Italian football, with the FIGC leadership and the national team's direction under intense scrutiny. His advocacy for Allegri presents a clear, high-profile alternative as the federation contemplates its next steps following a period of significant disappointment for the four-time world champions.
