The Coaching Dispute

The disagreement centred on the identity of Roberto Mancini’s successor, with Maldini and Leonardo championing Pirlo for the role. However, Malagò declined to appoint the former midfielder due to negative political reactions surrounding Pirlo’s position as a brand ambassador for a Russian betting company. According to Corriere della Sera, Maldini felt betrayed by the decision, believing the controversy provided a convenient political excuse to block Pirlo’s appointment while centralising authority with the president.

When Malagò instead pushed for either Antonio Conte or Roberto Mancini, the technical directors proposed Thiago Motta as a compromise candidate. This suggestion was also dismissed, prompting their resignations. Sources indicate that Malagò told Maldini during 24 hours of intense discussions: “Pirlo was an unfortunate decision, but I am the president and, at this point, I take responsibility and I make the decision.”

Objections to Conte and Mancini

Maldini and Leonardo opposed the return of both Conte and Mancini for distinct sporting reasons. They resisted Mancini’s candidacy due to the manner of his 2023 departure, when he resigned during Euro 2024 qualifying to become Saudi Arabia’s national team coach shortly after. Regarding Conte, they were concerned by his history of switching clubs every two years, viewing this instability as a significant risk with the 2030 World Cup four years away.

Fallout and Next Steps

The former AC Milan defender reportedly informed Pirlo on Sunday evening that he would not receive the appointment, before both he and Leonardo submitted their resignations. The pair cited compromised decision-making autonomy as their primary reason for departure, with Maldini quoted as stating: “They do not want change.”

The swift collapse leaves the FIGC without technical leadership at a crucial juncture. With the federation now forced to restart its search for both a technical director and a head coach, the episode raises serious questions about the balance of power within Italian football’s governing body and whether future appointments will possess genuine authority over sporting decisions.

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The 61-year-old returns for a second spell with the Azzurri after leading the nation to Euro 2020 glory, though he also presided over their failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. His appointment follows weeks of chaotic negotiations that saw several high-profile targets reject the role.

Clubs left in the dark

According to reports, Serie A presidents had advocated for Antonio Conte to take charge and were prepared to contribute towards his salary. However, they were not consulted before Malagò confirmed Mancini’s return.

Lega Serie A President Ezio Maria Simonelli voiced these concerns during a recent FIGC Federal Council meeting, arguing that the federation’s components should have been heard before any final decision. Serie A representatives believe Malagò’s close friendship with Mancini proved decisive, leaving them feeling sidelined despite their support for Malagò’s election on June 22.

Malagò defended his actions, stating there was “no time to waste” following the resignation of technical director Paolo Maldini and special advisor Leonardo. The federation eventually released a statement welcoming both Mancini and new technical director Claudio Ranieri, urging unity despite the turbulent selection process.

From Guardiola to Pirlo to Mancini

The path to Mancini’s appointment was turbulent. The FIGC initially pursued ambitious targets including Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, but both managers turned down the national team role.

Maldini subsequently selected Andrea Pirlo for the position, only for Malagò to refuse ratification due to Pirlo’s existing role as brand ambassador for a Russian betting company. This intervention prompted Maldini and Leonardo to resign, reportedly because they viewed the appointment of former managers such as Conte or Mancini as a backward step.

Youth focus over quick fixes

Malagò has emphasised that appointing a senior coach represents only part of a necessary transformation within Italian football. He argues that genuine reform must begin with youth academies and the development of players currently aged 13 to 16.

“We must recover our credibility at the top level, where nothing can be taken for granted,” Malagò stated. He warned that such structural changes will require time, meaning results will not be immediate. This long-term vision appears to conflict with the reappointment of Mancini, who previously delivered European Championship success but also presided over the failed World Cup qualification campaign.

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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.

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The decision ends Pirlo’s hopes of leading the Azzurri after it emerged he holds a commercial contract with Fonbet, a Russian betting company banned in Italy. Strict national regulations prohibit the publicising of gambling, while international sanctions against Russian businesses following the invasion of Ukraine created additional political barriers. Pirlo’s visit to Moscow in May 2026 to promote the brand compounded the ethical questions surrounding his candidacy.

Club owner denies forcing contract

Speculation had suggested Pirlo entered the Fonbet agreement under pressure from FC United Dubai, where he currently manages, with claims that club president Sergey Lomakin held financial interests in the gambling group. However, Lomakin has firmly rejected this narrative. In a statement to La Gazzetta dello Sport, he declared he holds “no financial interests in Fonbet” and that “United FC Dubai… has no association with Fonbet either.” He added: “The supposed connection between Mr Lomakin, United FC and Fonbet does not exist.”

This denial eliminates a potential defence for Pirlo, suggesting the 2006 World Cup winner entered the arrangement personally rather than as a contractual club obligation. Without this mitigating circumstance, Pirlo appears individually responsible for partnering with a sanctioned entity while seeking to represent the Italian federation.

Technical director faces exit

The controversy has also engulfed Paolo Maldini, whom Malagò recently appointed as technical director of the national squad. Reports indicate Maldini continued pushing for Pirlo’s appointment even after the Fonbet scandal emerged, and he is now reportedly ready to resign just weeks into his role. Malagò’s pointed remark about who created the “bad impression” appeared directed at both Pirlo’s judgment and Maldini’s insistence on the appointment despite the regulatory violations.

The former AC Milan defender’s brief tenure now hangs in the balance. His reported determination to advance Pirlo’s candidacy amid mounting ethical concerns has drawn criticism from within the federation, potentially making his position untenable just weeks after his high-profile return to Italian football in an official capacity.

Federation accelerates search

With Pirlo’s path to the role definitively closed, the federation is working to identify an alternative candidate. Malagò confirmed progress on the appointment, stating: “We are working, soon you will know everything.” The episode leaves Pirlo stranded at FC United in the United Arab Emirates, his ambitions of leading the national team thwarted by the incompatibility of his commercial interests with the federation’s ethical and regulatory requirements.

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Pirlo confirmed on Sunday evening that he was no longer in the running for the Azzurri post. The 46-year-old had emerged as the favoured candidate after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola both rejected approaches, but his role as a global brand ambassador for Fonbet triggered a backlash in Italy.

The country maintains strict laws governing gambling advertising, and reports suggest Malagò faced intense political pressure to rule Pirlo out despite the former Juventus coach insisting he had always acted within the law. Pirlo stated he performed his duties “within full respect of the laws of the countries I worked in, and the contracts that I signed.”

Maldini and Leonardo could depart

The decision has thrown the federation into turmoil. Technical director Paolo Maldini and special advisor Leonardo, who only assumed their roles a fortnight ago, are reportedly considering resignation after championing Pirlo’s candidacy.

The pair had initially targeted Ancelotti and Guardiola before turning to Pirlo, but the betting association has forced them to restart the search.

Former managers back in contention

Italy now face a hurried rethink with Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini, Stefano Pioli and Raffaele Palladino forming the revised shortlist.

Conte and Mancini have both previously managed the national side. Sources indicate Mancini would be more willing to return and represents a less expensive option, though neither former boss is thought to relish being considered behind Pirlo in the original pecking order.

Pioli offers familiarity with Maldini after the pair won the Scudetto together at Milan, though the 59-year-old was dismissed by Fiorentina early last season. Palladino, 42, provides a younger alternative. The former Monza and Fiorentina coach left Atalanta by mutual consent this summer after guiding them from relegation danger to sixth place following his November 2025 appointment.

The federation must now weigh experience against fresh ideas as pressure mounts to appoint a successor before upcoming competitive fixtures.

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Fonbet Links Under Scrutiny

Giovanni Malagò, president of the FIGC, is seeking detailed clarification regarding the nature of Pirlo’s association with the Russian firm. Legal representatives for the 2006 World Cup winner insist the connection operates solely through his current employer, United FC Dubai, whose owner maintains interests in the sponsor. They maintain this link would terminate automatically once Pirlo departs the United Arab Emirates club, reportedly without financial penalty.

The delay places pressure on a selection process already attracting political scrutiny. Paolo Maldini, the technical director, championed Pirlo’s candidacy, yet the appointment has drawn public reservations from figures including sports minister Andrea Abodi, who nevertheless offered a measured assurance that he is “rooting for him”. Should the federation withdraw its backing, former Chelsea and Juventus boss Antonio Conte, along with ex-Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, remain available alternatives in the background.

Transfer Market Developments

Away from the managerial uncertainty, current Italy coach Luciano Spalletti is pushing to strengthen his attacking options before the next international cycle. Spalletti, who oversaw a 1-0 friendly victory over Standard Liège on Saturday through a Fabio Miretti strike, hopes to secure Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani.

In club news, Inter Milan are advancing their summer recruitment plans. The Nerazzurri have prepared a €40m package to tempt Tottenham Hotspur into selling defender Cristian Romero, with new ownership group Oaktree prepared to finance the deal. That pursuit follows confirmation that defender Yann Bisseck has extended his contract at San Siro until 2031.

Elsewhere in Serie A, Napoli face questions regarding Romelu Lukaku’s role next season. The striker’s representative has issued a firm warning that the Belgian international “won’t be a reserve”. In the capital, Roma have tabled an offer worth €30m plus performance-related bonuses to secure Bologna forward Santiago Castro.

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The former World Cup winner confirmed he will not take charge of the Azzurri following scrutiny of his position as global brand ambassador for Fonbet, a Moscow-based bookmaker whose ownership falls under Italian sanctions. His commercial relationship breaches Article 9 of Italy’s Dignity Decree, which prohibits advertising and sponsorship of gambling with cash winnings. Pirlo visited the Russian capital as recently as May 2026 for a promotional event.

Legal and Political Pressure

Consumer protection agency Codacons had threatened immediate legal action to prevent Pirlo’s installation, vowing to appeal to the Lazio TAR administrative tribunal if the federation proceeded. The group also submitted a formal request to Italy’s Communications Authority to investigate alleged violations of gambling advertising regulations, warning that Pirlo could face fines equivalent to 20 per cent of his sponsorship value.

Italy legend Gianni Rivera publicly condemned the candidacy. “He cannot be the right person to lead the Nazionale, and I’m shocked anyone thought he could be,” Rivera told Repubblica. “When it comes to his rapport with Russia, we must be very severe. At times like this, a similar relationship would expose the entire Italian football movement to a reputational risk.”

Federation Exodus

The decision has plunged the FIGC into turmoil. Maldini and special advisor Leonardo, who were appointed to lead Club Italia on July 11, had strongly championed Pirlo after learning that first choices Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola had rejected the role. However, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò reportedly blocked the appointment due to the political and legal controversy surrounding Fonbet.

Sky Sport Italia reports that Maldini and Leonardo have decided to resign in protest, with an announcement expected imminently. Malagò is scheduled to hold emergency talks with the pair on Monday in an attempt to persuade them to remain. He intends to emphasise that presidential authority differs from club management structures, though convincing them to stay is expected to prove difficult.

Should Maldini proceed with his resignation, Malagò would be forced to restart the search for a technical director while the national team remains without a permanent head coach.

Broader Concerns

Pirlo is not the only member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad with Russian commercial ties; former teammates Francesco Totti and Marco Materazzi have also participated in Fonbet sponsorship events. However, Pirlo was the only candidate for the national team position.

The developments raise serious questions about the direction of Italian football, with three of the country’s most iconic figures potentially exiting the national set-up within days of each other.

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Malagò, who had contacted Pirlo on Thursday to offer support, notably did not follow up with a reassuring call on Saturday. Sources close to the negotiations view this communication breakdown as a troubling sign for the former midfielder’s prospects, suggesting the federation may be reconsidering its position.

Pirlo rejects “hypocritical” criticism

Speaking from a training camp in Austria with his Dubai-based side, Pirlo rejected the mounting criticism as instrumental and hypocritical. He mounted a pointed defence by questioning the morality of staging the World Cup in the United States, noting the country was simultaneously at war with Iran.

The backlash against the 2006 World Cup winner spans multiple controversies. Critics have highlighted a “Russia row” and his commercial ties to betting firm Fonbet, though the latter would become moot upon taking the national team role, which prohibits such partnerships. Political figures from the Democratic Party, Azione and Europa+ have publicly urged Pirlo to sever these links immediately.

Political figures voice scepticism

The resistance to Pirlo’s candidacy cuts across Italy’s political spectrum. Senate president Ignazio La Russa deployed withering irony in his assessment, branding the potential appointment a leap in the dark and warning that “the mountain may have produced a mouse”.

Sports minister Andrea Abodi has also expressed deep scepticism, describing the federation’s earlier approach to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as a gamble. The comparison implicitly questions whether Pirlo represents a safer or more qualified alternative to the elite coach the federation initially pursued.

Historical parallels and uncertain future

Veteran observers have drawn parallels with Enzo Bearzot, who faced severe abuse upon taking the Italy job in the 1970s before guiding the nation to 1982 World Cup glory. However, the current political and media climate suggests Pirlo may not receive the opportunity to silence his detractors on the pitch.

Malagò now faces a decisive period of reflection over whether to endorse the choice reportedly favoured by federation vice-commissioner Paolo Maldini, or retreat from the appointment entirely. Pirlo remains in Austria with his club side as the federation deliberates whether to proceed with a coach who has yet to manage at senior international level.

The deal had appeared close to completion, with an agreement in principle reportedly reached between Pirlo and the federation. However, the process has been derailed by political concerns surrounding the 2006 World Cup winner’s role as a global ambassador for Fonbet, a position that recently included travel to Moscow for a corporate event.

Political Sensitivity Over Russian Ties

While betting affiliations are already off-limits for registered figures within Italian football, the primary concern centres on Fonbet’s Russian ownership. Diplomatic relations between Rome and Moscow remain strained following the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, rendering the association politically problematic for a prospective national team manager.

The situation is further complicated by Pirlo’s current employment at United FC. The Dubai-based club is owned by Sergey Lomakin, who holds significant financial interests in Fonbet. Pirlo’s legal team maintains that his Fonbet arrangement is strictly linked to his position in the United Arab Emirates and would terminate automatically upon ending his United FC contract.

Contract Hurdle Blocks Negotiations

Pirlo is reportedly working to secure his release from the Dubai club specifically to facilitate negotiations with the FIGC. The federation maintains a strict policy against engaging managers who remain under contract elsewhere, meaning Pirlo must resolve his United FC situation before substantive talks can advance.

Federation Support Remains

Despite these external complications, Pirlo retains influential backing inside the federation. Technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo continue to champion him as the ideal candidate to lead a long-term project with the Azzurri. Frameworks for a potential contract have already been discussed, and the federation is prepared to move swiftly should Malagò clear the regulatory hurdles.

Time is pressing for the FIGC to appoint a new commissario tecnico. Pirlo’s candidacy now hinges on whether he can sever his Russian betting ties and Dubai contract sufficiently to satisfy the federation’s ethical and contractual requirements.

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Pirlo is expected to sign a four-year contract with the Azzurri, though he must first terminate his existing agreement with United FC in the UAE. The former midfielder will take charge following a controversial recruitment process that saw the federation openly target Guardiola before turning to the 45-year-old.

Guardiola approach draws government criticism

Newly appointed technical director Paolo Maldini and Leonardo travelled to Barcelona last weekend to hold discussions with Guardiola, who did not make himself available for the role. The pair confirmed the meeting during a press conference on Thursday, with Maldini adding that he had also spoken to Carlo Ancelotti.

Abodi told Sky TG 24 that the federation should have kept negotiations discreet rather than publicising the approach. “I don’t know whether Guardiola had thought this through. I believe that, when it comes to publicly communicating an option like this, either you have a reasonable degree of confidence that you can achieve the outcome, or it’s better to keep it discreet,” he said.

He added: “The alternatives seem so far apart that it was probably a gamble to bring it up without being certain of getting a yes. Gambles are always a hazard, so we need decisions that make sense, and only the pitch will determine whether a decision has been farsighted, given that the agreement should be for four years.”

Pirlo’s credentials and immediate future

Despite his reservations about the recruitment process, Abodi expressed hope that Pirlo would justify the federation’s decision. “I won’t express an opinion because I’m a fan of the national team, and I hope that this choice by President Malagò, alongside Maldini and Leonardo, will lead to the results we hope for, knowing that it’s a long-term path,” he said. “Pirlo has his own experience as a coach, proving his worth. I hope he can further confirm it.”

Pirlo, currently managing United FC, previously coached Juventus during the 2020-21 season, winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana. He has also managed Sampdoria and Turkish side Karagumruk.

The appointment represents a significant shift in direction for the FIGC following the high-profile but unsuccessful Guardiola approach. Pirlo’s immediate priority will be negotiating his release from United FC before officially taking charge of the national team and beginning work on a four-year project aimed at rebuilding the Azzurri.