Paolo Maldini has moved swiftly to reshape Italy‘s football structure following his appointment as the national team’s technical director last Saturday, with reports indicating he will offer Gianluigi Buffon a primary role within Club Italia as part of a new project designed to revive the Azzurri’s fortunes.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Maldini is determined to bring the legendary goalkeeper back into the fold. Buffon resigned from his position as Italy’s Delegation Chief in March following the team’s World Cup play-off final defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. He had served in that capacity under both Luciano Spalletti and Gennaro Gattuso during a difficult period for the national side.
Maldini’s backroom team takes shape
The former Milan defender is assembling a familiar team around him. Leonardo, his former teammate at the San Siro, has joined the FIGC setup as an advisor. This partnership mirrors their successful collaboration at club level and signals a clear direction for the federation’s new technical leadership.
Buffon’s prospective return would see him take on a different brief from his previous administrative post. Club Italia oversees the activity of Italy’s national teams from the youth sectors through to the senior side, offering a broad remit to influence the sport’s development across all age groups.
Coaching appointment on the horizon
While Buffon is being targeted for an off-field position, Maldini has also identified his preferred candidate for the dugout. Andrea Pirlo, who lifted the 2006 World Cup alongside Buffon, remains Maldini’s preferred option to become the new Nazionale coach.
Maldini’s arrival represents the first major restructuring since Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup. The defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March proved the final straw for the previous regime, prompting resignations from Buffon, Gattuso and FIGC President Gabriele Gravina. Maldini must now steady a ship that has lost its way in international competition and restore pride to a nation accustomed to footballing success.