Maldini and Leonardo Resign from Italian Football Federation

Paolo Maldini resigns as FIGC technical director after just 16 days amid controversy over head coach selection, including Andrea Pirlo’s links to a Russian betting company.

Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have both departed from their positions at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), just 16 days following their appointment. This abrupt change comes after the FIGC opted not to proceed with Andrea Pirlo as the head coach of the national team due to concerns regarding his ties to a Russian betting company.

The decision was finalized on Sunday, marking a swift conclusion to discussions about Pirlo’s potential role. Pirlo had been the favored candidate but faced objections from various FIGC officials and political figures, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Maldini and Leonardo were initially brought in to execute a significant overhaul at the FIGC after Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time. Their departure raises questions about the future direction of the national team.

Pep Guardiola had also been approached regarding the head coach position but declined the offer for personal reasons, while Carlo Ancelotti was contacted before Guardiola but is currently under contract with Brazil’s national team.

Following the FIGC’s decision, Pirlo announced through an Instagram post that he was no longer in the running for the coaching position. He defended his connection with the Russian betting firm Fonbet, which he had agreed to collaborate with in a purely commercial capacity back in October. In his statement, he expressed disappointment over the debate surrounding his name and emphasized that he always operated within the laws of the countries where he worked.

“To attribute a political meaning to such a collaboration means to attribute convictions that I have never expressed and that do not belong to me,” Pirlo stated. He is currently managing United FC in Dubai while the Italian national team undergoes these significant changes.

The FIGC had a vision that extended beyond the head coaching role itself, proposing an overarching ‘Azzurro project’ aimed at rejuvenating Italian football. Both Maldini and Leonardo had intended to team up with Guardiola to push this initiative forward. They presented their ambitious plans during discussions in Barcelona, outlining a strategy that encompassed all levels of national teams.

However, with Maldini and Leonardo’s resignations, the FIGC finds itself at a crossroads, needing to find new leadership to navigate these challenges and lead a revitalization of the Italian football landscape.