Fabio Capello has endorsed Paolo Maldini as the ideal candidate to oversee Italy’s footballing reconstruction, though the former manager insists the Azzurri should appoint Antonio Conte rather than Roberto Mancini as their next head coach.
Maldini has signed a four-year contract as technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and president of Club Italia, a newly created position that will run until the 2030 World Cup. Federation president Giovanni Malagò confirmed the appointment, describing the role as a cornerstone of a “revolution” following Italy’s failure to qualify for three consecutive World Cups.
The Maldini-Leonardo partnership
Former Milan teammate Leonardo will support Maldini in an advisory capacity, with both men committing to the federation until the end of the 2030 World Cup cycle. Malagò revealed that the technical director position was crafted specifically around Maldini’s profile, granting him sweeping authority across Italy’s entire football pathway from youth development to the senior squad.
“Maldini has always been my goal,” Malagò said. “I thought he would be the right person to oversee the technical sector of the FIGC, which doesn’t only involve the senior national team, but the entire supply chain of the youth national sides.”
Leonardo’s involvement came at Maldini’s specific request due to the demanding nature of the portfolio. Malagò described the pair as “two sides of the same coin” as they prepare to rebuild a system that has produced three consecutive qualification failures despite Italy’s status as four-time world champions.
Capello welcomed the appointments, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport: “Nobody better than him would be able to do it. He’s serious, capable and attentive. He doesn’t speak, he works.” Capello added that granting Maldini “unprecedented” freedom was essential, noting: “Without that, he would have never accepted.”
Coach hunt divides opinion
The immediate priority for the new leadership is identifying a head coach to succeed Gennaro Gattuso, who resigned in March alongside former FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon following a play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
While recent reports indicate Mancini has emerged as the frontrunner for the position, Capello maintains that his previous departure from the national team remains problematic. “Leaving the national team up the creek a few days before a series of important matches is too big to forget,” Capello said, reiterating his preference for Conte: “I’ve already said I would go with Conte.”
Maldini, who lifted five European Cups during a 25-year playing career at Milan, faces the task of reversing the Azzurri’s decline ahead of the next World Cup cycle. His first major decision—selecting the right manager—will determine whether Italy can return to the top tier of international football.