Former Juventus and Roma striker Zbigniew Boniek has emerged as a surprise candidate for the Italy national team technical director role, positioning himself as an alternative to Paolo Maldini. The development comes as the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) initiates a comprehensive restructuring of its national team setup under newly appointed president Giovanni Malagò.
FIGC restructuring
Malagò faces immediate pressure to rebuild the Azzurri’s football operations following significant personnel changes earlier this year. Both head coach Gennaro Gattuso and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon departed their posts, creating vacancies that require urgent attention ahead of future international commitments.
The federation has established a clear hierarchy for its appointments. Officials plan to recruit a technical director before making any final decision regarding the head coach position. This sequencing allows the incoming technical figure to contribute to the selection process for the managerial role. Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini currently stand as the leading contenders to occupy the dugout.
Boniek’s Italian connection
Despite his Polish nationality, Boniek maintains strong ties to Italian football. He spent the final six years of his distinguished playing career in Serie A, representing Juventus and Roma throughout the 1980s. After hanging up his boots, he acquired coaching experience with several Italian clubs including Lecce, Bari, Sambenedettese and Avellino.
His administrative credentials prove equally substantial. Boniek served as chairman of the Polish Football Association from 2012 until 2021, subsequently accepting a position as UEFA vice-president under Aleksander Ceferin. He relinquished this post in April 2025. Italian football formally recognised his contributions with induction into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
Alternative options
Maldini continues to represent the most high-profile option for the technical director position. However, he has remained without employment since his controversial departure from AC Milan in the summer of 2023. The candidate pool reportedly includes numerous former Italy internationals such as Buffon, Alessandro Del Piero, Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Baggio, Demetrio Albertini and Beppe Bergomi. Former manager Claudio Ranieri has also attracted mention.
Boniek’s availability and extensive experience in football governance provide the FIGC with a viable alternative should discussions with preferred candidates encounter obstacles. The federation seeks to finalise these appointments promptly to ensure stability within the national team structure.