FIGC President Giovanni Malagò will appoint a technical director for Italy within the next seven days. The new official will play a central role in selecting the next Azzurri coach following the complete overhaul of the national team leadership.
Malagò confirmed the timeline during his first FIGC summit, stating the appointment will be finalised “over the course of a week”. He stressed that he has not contacted any coaching candidates yet and will only approach potential managers once the technical director is in place.
Fallout from World Cup failure
The restructuring follows Italy’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup play-offs against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The defeat triggered resignations across the federation, with head coach Gennaro Gattuso, team manager Gigi Buffon and Federation President Gabriele Gravina all stepping down.
Malagò, who recently assumed control of the FIGC, is now overseeing the first major decisions of his presidency. He indicated that the technical director will work alongside the Club Italia leadership to identify the right candidate for the dugout.
Maldini favoured for director role
Former Milan defender Paolo Maldini emerges as the leading candidate for the technical director position. Malagò considers the Rossoneri legend his preferred choice, though sources suggest Maldini remains hesitant about accepting the role. Other candidates are under consideration should the former defender decline.
“Italians want someone who has history and knowledge of the sport, who can share the choice of coach with the President,” Malagò stated. “I am working on it very hard.”
Serie A clubs offer funding for top coach
Once the technical director is appointed, attention will turn to replacing Gattuso. Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini have emerged as the primary candidates, though reports indicate a substantial difference between their salary expectations.
The financial obstacle may be overcome through an unprecedented offer from Lega Serie A. Top-flight clubs have proposed contributing towards the salary of a new coach to secure what they term a “great tactician” for the national team.
Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi welcomed the proposal, remarking: “If we have gone from substantial neutrality, if not occasional hostility, to the proposal of putting resources at our disposal, then it means we are making some progress at last.”
Malagò downplayed concerns about the cost difference between Conte and Mancini, noting that salary “is not necessarily an issue” in the selection process. The dual appointments of technical director and coach will determine Italy’s direction ahead of the next international cycle.