Paolo Maldini is the new technical director of an Italy in crisis

AC Milan icon Paolo Maldini has been appointed technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), tasked with leading a major reconstruction effort. The move follows the Italian national team's historic failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, marking their third consecutive absence from the tournament. Maldini's appointment was announced by FIGC President Giovanni Malago, who expressed great satisfaction with the legendary defender's acceptance of the role.

Joining Maldini in this significant undertaking will be Brazilian Leonardo, a former sporting director for PSG and AC Milan, who will serve as an advisor. This pairing revives a successful management duo previously seen at San Siro. Their primary mission is to revitalize a team suffering from low morale after a string of disappointing results. Despite winning the 2021 European Championship, Italy has struggled on the global stage for over a decade, failing to reach the World Cup since 2014.

This appointment represents a key move for Giovanni Malago, who was elected FIGC president in late June. Malago's absolute priority is to name a new national team coach to replace Gennaro Gattuso, who departed after Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in a playoff match against Bosnia-Herzegovina in March. Whispers within the federation suggest Antonio Conte, who previously managed the national team from 2014 to 2016 and is currently without a club after leaving Napoli, is a strong contender for the coaching position.

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With great satisfaction, the president of the FIGC, Giovanni Malago, announces that Paolo Maldini accepted the position of technical director of the Federation.