Legendary Italian defender Paolo Maldini has stepped down as technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) after just 16 days in the role, following the abrupt end of talks to name Andrea Pirlo as the nation’s next head coach.
Both Maldini and his trusted advisor, Leonardo, resigned in protest after the FIGC abandoned plans to appoint Pirlo, whose recruitment was derailed by his financial ties to Russian betting company Fonbet. The decision clears the path for further upheaval at the federation, which is already reeling from its failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The fallout began last week when Pirlo, a World Cup-winning midfielder and current ambassador for Fonbet, was withdrawn as a candidate. Italian officials and lawmakers raised objections to the partnership, citing geopolitical tensions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In a public statement, Pirlo framed the rejection as a blow to his professional integrity, insisting his collaboration with Fonbet was strictly commercial.
“I have always carried out my duties in full compliance with national laws and contractual obligations,” he wrote on Instagram.
Maldini and Leonardo had spearheaded a sweeping reform effort to revitalize Italian football after years of stagnation. They reportedly sought to appoint Pirlo as head coach while also restructuring the national setup to integrate junior teams under a unified vision. However, the federation prioritized avoiding further diplomatic complications by shelving the plan.
FIFA legends Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti were also approached for the high-profile post. Guardiola, fresh from leading Manchester City, was considered for an unprecedented package to take charge of Italy’s senior team and broader football infrastructure. However, personal reasons kept him from accepting. Ancelotti, meanwhile, remains under contract with Brazil’s national squad.
The FIGC now faces mounting pressure to resolve its leadership crisis amid scrutiny over its handling of the coach search and broader organizational challenges.