Malagò eyes Immobile for FIGC leadership team alongside Ranieri and Zola
Quick summary
Giovanni Malagò is reportedly considering Lazio striker Ciro Immobile for a role in the FIGC leadership, alongside Claudio Ranieri and Gianfranco Zola.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceGiovanni Malago has reportedly approached Ciro Immobile about a role within the Italian football federation, just weeks after he announced his retirement from playing.
According to Calciomercato.com , citing Corriere della Sera, the idea originated with the FIGC president himself, with a telephone conversation said to have taken place between the two men. Neither party has confirmed or denied that the contact occurred.
Italy technical director Paolo Maldini, special advisor Leonardo, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò and Lega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli (figc.it) Immobile could join Ranieri and Zola in FIGC structure The proposal would see Immobile given a prominent position within the federation’s leadership group, joining a roster that already includes Claudio Ranieri, Gianfranco Zola, Lele Oriali and Antonio Bianchedi.
Immobile made his name at Lazio, where he became one of the most prolific goalscorers in the club’s history, and also played for Torino, Genoa, Juventus, Bologna and Pescara before moving abroad to Paris FC. He was also a part of Italy’s European Championship triumph in 2021.
Technical Director Claudio Ranieri and coach Roberto Mancini pose with the Italy jersey (@azzurri) The approach comes at a turbulent moment for Malago after the FIGC withdrew its support for Gianni Infantino’s FIFA presidency , a decision Serie A League president Ezio Simonelli publicly distanced himself from on Wednesday.
Ranieri was himself appointed only recently, taking the technical director role vacated by Paolo Maldini after a brief spell.
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What happened
Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) president Giovanni Malagò is shaping a potential FIGC leadership ticket that would include Lazio captain Ciro Immobile, a current senior Italy international. Veteran coaches Claudio Ranieri and Gianfranco Zola are also mentioned as part of the proposed setup. The move would mark a significant step in bringing active playing and coaching voices into the governance of Italian football. The FIGC presidency is currently a contested position, with Malagò positioning allies ahead of upcoming elections.
Chance analysis
Malagò's push to populate the FIGC leadership with high-profile football figures like Immobile, Ranieri, and Zola signals a deliberate strategy to legitimize his vision for Italian football governance with recognizable names. Including an active international striker like Immobile is unusual for an FA board and would give the playing side a direct voice in the federation's direction. For Serie A observers, the outcome of this power play matters because FIGC decisions shape refereeing standards, youth development funding, and the national team pathway — all of which ripple into club football.
Potential FIGC leadership changes could influence Italian football governance broadly but have no direct effect on upcoming club matches.