Italy National Team

Raffaele Palladino has emerged as a candidate to become the next Italy national team coach, joining Andrea Pirlo and former managers Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte on the shortlist.

New Italy technical director Paolo Maldini wants to offer Gianluigi Buffon a primary role within Club Italia, while Andrea Pirlo remains the preferred candidate for the head coach position.

Paolo Maldini has accepted the role of technical director with the Italian Football Federation, with former Milan teammate Leonardo joining as an advisor. Their immediate priority is appointing the next Azzurri head coach.

Paolo Maldini’s appointment as Italy technical director has revived links between Pep Guardiola and the national team job, though the Manchester City manager’s wage demands present a significant challenge.

FIGC President Giovanni Malagò expects to confirm a technical director within days as Italy search for a new head coach to replace Gennaro Gattuso. Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte lead the race for the dugout, while Paolo Maldini is linked with the director role.