FIGC President Giovanni Malagò is poised to nominate Roberto Mancini as Italy head coach and Claudio Ranieri as technical director at a federal meeting currently underway in Rome. The appointments would follow the resignation of Paolo Maldini and Leonardo from their Club Italia roles, triggered by Malagò’s refusal to confirm Andrea Pirlo due to the former midfielder’s commercial ties to Russian betting firm Fonbet.
Mancini, who guided Italy to EURO 2020 victory during his first spell from 2018 to August 2023, has emerged as the leading candidate to return to the position. He abruptly resigned from the national team in 2023 to coach Saudi Arabia before a brief spell at Al-Sadd, which ended last month. Sources indicate Malagò will propose the appointments during the summit, despite having promised during his election campaign that a technical director would select the coach.
Pirlo Blocked and Maldini Exits
Pirlo formally ended his bid to become Italy head coach after his role as global ambassador for Fonbet created regulatory obstacles under Italy’s strict gambling advertising laws. The development prompted Maldini and Leonardo—who had vigorously backed Pirlo’s appointment—to resign just two weeks after assuming their positions.
Italian Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi criticised the federation’s handling of the affair. “The news speaks for itself,” Abodi told reporters. “It’s a situation we would have liked to have changed with timeliness and with a statement of intent, which did not happen. Now we have to make up for the bad impression.”
Chiellini Commits to Juventus
While Giorgio Chiellini had been mentioned as a potential technical director candidate, the former Italy captain confirmed he will remain in his role as Juventus Chief Club Affairs Officer. “I’m really happy with my role at Juventus, supporting Carnevali and the club now and in the future,” Chiellini stated upon arriving at the FIGC headquarters for the federal meeting. His decision clears the path for Ranieri to assume the technical director position.
Failed Approaches
The collapse of Pirlo’s candidacy follows the rejection of the role by Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti. The federation now faces a return to its previous structure, with Malagò directly selecting the coaching staff rather than delegating to a technical director as originally envisaged in his election project.
Failed FIGC Presidential candidate Giancarlo Abete noted that appointing the coach before the technical director contradicts Malagò’s manifesto. “If he chooses the coach first, then a technical director, nothing has changed,” Abete told reporters.