Florenzi: Maldini 'could have revolutionised Italian football' after Milan exit
Quick summary
Alessandro Florenzi has spoken about Paolo Maldini's departure from AC Milan, suggesting Maldini could have revolutionised Italian football had he remained in his role as technical director.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceAlessandro Florenzi believes Paolo Maldini could have transformed Italian football had he been given the room to work, and says the federation should have committed to him fully.
With quotes via MilanNews.it , the former Milan and Roma defender discussed his old club captain’s brief spell as Italy’s technical director in an interview with Repubblica, describing the decision to walk away as characteristic.
“Paolo needs to do things his own way,” Florenzi said. “If he takes on a responsibility, he does it 100 per cent. He felt the trust ebbing away, and out of consistency he took a step back. He talked about Cruyff, about how he changed Spanish football. He wanted to do the same in Italy and, for me, he could have managed it.”
EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 01: Paolo Maldini of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and AC MIlan at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 1, 2022 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) Florenzi on summer of Italy changes and Maldini Asked whether Maldini and Leonardo had wanted Andrea Pirlo as national team coach, Florenzi did not confirm it directly but defended the thinking. “De Rossi and Grosso were the other names in play, with similar CVs to Andrea,” he said. “Any choice would have been criticised. But perhaps they had seen further ahead. If you choose Maldini, you close your eyes and go straight ahead with him.”
He was warm on Claudio Ranieri, appointed in Maldini’s place . “A person I’m fond of, like Paolo Maldini and Leonardo,” Florenzi said. “It’s a valid choice. It makes me smile when people say Malago only selected his friends, he did magnificent things at CONI, he hardly wants what’s bad for Italy.”
TURIN, ITALY – MAY 25: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on prior to the Serie A match between Torino and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 25, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) Florenzi hopes the appointment reaches beyond the senior side. “I hope Ranieri can rebuild the entire youth football pipeline,” he said. “He has experience, and once he’s understood where to intervene he can revolutionise the situation.”
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What happened
Alessandro Florenzi has weighed in on Paolo Maldini's recent departure from AC Milan, where Maldini served as technical director. The veteran Italian full-back, who plays for Milan, suggested that Maldini's vision and approach could have transformed Italian football had he stayed in his position. The comments highlight the widespread concern within Italian football about the loss of one of its most respected footballing figures from a key decision-making role. Maldini's exit marks the end of a significant chapter in Milan's restructuring under owners RedBird.
Chance analysis
Maldini's departure from his technical director role at Milan removes one of Italian football's most influential voices from the boardroom. Florenzi's comments underscore a growing sentiment among Italian players and observers that the country is failing to retain its most respected figures in positions of power. For Milan specifically, losing Maldini represents not just an administrative change but a philosophical one, as the club had been building around his football identity. The broader question hovering over Italian football is whether its top clubs can modernize their structures while keeping the heritage that figures like Maldini represent.
AC Milan loses a key off-pitch leader and sporting visionary, potentially destabilising the club's long-term project and creating uncertainty around recruitment and identity.