Maldini and Leonardo Depart Amid Coaching Search
Paolo Maldini has resigned from his position as technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), with his adviser, Leonardo, also departing. Their resignations come just 16 days after their appointments were officially announced by the FIGC. The departures follow a decision not to appoint Andrea Pirlo as the new head coach for Italy.
The FIGC’s decision regarding Pirlo was made on Sunday, halting talks due to concerns over his associations with a Russian gambling firm. Maldini and Leonardo had reportedly backed Pirlo for the coaching role. The duo had been brought in to spearhead significant changes within the FIGC after the Azzurri failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup tournament.
Pirlo’s Russian Links Cause Controversy
Andrea Pirlo confirmed on Monday that he is no longer a candidate for the Italy head coach position. He had been considered a leading contender for the role after Pep Guardiola ruled himself out. Pirlo, a former Azzurri midfielder and 2006 World Cup winner, is a global ambassador for Russian bookmaker Fonbet. This association led to objections from some FIGC officials and politicians, citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Pirlo defended his involvement with the company in an Instagram post, stating that his collaboration was exclusively commercial and sporting. He asserted that attributing political meaning to the partnership was misrepresenting his beliefs. Pirlo signed the ambassadorial agreement with Fonbet in October and is currently managing UAE Pro League club United FC in Dubai.
On Instagram, Pirlo expressed his disappointment, noting, “After learning last night that I am no longer the candidate to lead the Italian national team, I believe it is my duty to clarify a few points.” He added, “In the last few days I have witnessed with great bitterness the debate that has developed around my name and the possibility of taking over the role of head coach of the Italian national team.”
Pirlo maintained that throughout his career, both as a player and a coach, he has always operated in full compliance with the laws of the countries where he worked and the contracts he signed. Despite Maldini’s support for Pirlo, the controversy generated friction among Italian politicians. Pina Picierno, a vice-president of the European Parliament, commented on social media that Italian football needed a “cultural, ethical and managerial revolution” following another missed World Cup qualification, suggesting Pirlo’s selection would have been contrary to this need.
Ignazio La Russa, the head of the Senate and a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, also expressed doubts about Pirlo’s potential appointment. On Saturday, La Russa stated, “Of course I am an Italy fan and Pirlo was a great champion, but as a coach, it is a leap in the dark.” Carlo Calenda, leader of the Azione party, was more direct, stating that anyone promoting Russia after 2022 should not hold a national office.
Search for a New Head Coach Continues
The FIGC’s search for a successor to Gennaro Gattuso, who departed by mutual consent in April after Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, has faced several challenges. Before considering Pirlo, the federation had approached Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti for the role.
The FIGC met with Guardiola, attempting to persuade him to take on the coaching position and were prepared to make significant budgetary adjustments to secure him. Maldini and Leonardo engaged with Guardiola over three days in Barcelona, presenting a comprehensive “Azzurro project” that extended beyond a simple coaching role. This vision aimed to rebuild Italian football from its foundations, encompassing not only the senior national team but all other national teams.
Guardiola reportedly listened attentively to the offer but ultimately declined the proposal for personal reasons unrelated to football. Carlo Ancelotti was also contacted prior to Guardiola, according to Maldini, but he holds a contract with the Brazil national team. Pirlo had been prepared to terminate his contract with United FC to finalize an agreement to become Italy’s head coach.
With Pirlo now out of contention, former Italy coaches Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte are reportedly being discussed as potential candidates for the vacant head coach position.
Source: skysports.com
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