Maldini closing in on decision to take over in Italy national team set-up
Quick summary
Paolo Maldini is reportedly close to deciding whether to take on a role in the Italy national team set-up, according to Football Italia.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceWednesday’s reports claim that Milan and Azzurri legend Paolo Maldini is closing in on a decision to return to the Italy national team set-up in the role as technical director.
Maldini close to giving his ‘yes’ to Italy Newly-appointed FIGC President Giovanni Malago is looking to rebuild the management of the Italy national team following the departures of Gennaro Gattuso and Gianluigi Buffon after the failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup earlier this year.
Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini remain the frontrunners for the role of head coach, but reports over the last few weeks have made it clear that Malago wishes to appoint a new technical director before making a final decision on the next CT.
Maldini has been touted as Malago’s favourite for the position of technical director, but the Milan legend has not yet given his go-ahead.
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) However, according to Wednesday’s updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport , Maldini is now closing in on giving his approval to joining the Italy set-up. The FIGC are reportedly optimistic, while Malago feels that he will have a final decision by the end of the week, if not by the end of the weekend.
Maldini, meanwhile, is said to be excited by the prospect of having near-full control over the Italy national team and the fact that he will be able to have a major impact on the development of the nation’s youth talents.
Source attribution: this article content is based on the linked publisher feed/source. Chance adds independent soccer context, impact analysis, entity links, and related news.
What happened
Paolo Maldini, the legendary former AC Milan and Italy defender, is reportedly nearing a decision about joining the Italy national team's coaching or management structure. The specific role is not yet clear, but his involvement would represent a major coup for the Azzurri given his iconic status in Italian football. The article suggests the decision is imminent, raising expectations of an official announcement soon.
Chance analysis
Maldini's potential entry into the Italy national team set-up is significant given his stature as one of Italy's greatest ever players and his recent experience as a director at AC Milan. If confirmed, this could reshape the technical structure around the Azzurri ahead of upcoming international fixtures. The managerial/coaching landscape of the Italy national team is in flux, and bringing in a figure of Maldini's pedigree would have both symbolic and practical implications for player development and team identity.
If confirmed, Maldini's appointment would be a morale and prestige boost for the Italy national team, potentially influencing squad dynamics and strategic direction.
Monitor Italy national team announcements for Maldini's role confirmation, as this could affect future Azzurri match preparation and tactical direction.