Maldini could leave Italy role if Pirlo appointment as head coach is blocked
Quick summary
Reports suggest Paolo Maldini may abandon his position with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) if the appointment of Andrea Pirlo as Italy head coach is blocked.
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Attributed to original sourceThe controversy over Andrea Pirlo’s Russian gambling links could be even more damaging, with reports technical director Paolo Maldini could step down if he can’t get his preferred Italy coach candidate.
The situation is escalating rapidly and could see every plan put in place suddenly collapse over the next few days.
Maldini was convinced to take the brand new role of Italy technical director with the proviso he’d have power to decide the choice of coach.
Maldini needs to feel he has Italy power BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 16: AC Milan Sporting Strategy & Development Director Paolo Maldini and AC Milan Club Sporting Director Leonardo De Araujo before the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on February 16, 2019 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) After Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola turned down the job, Maldini turned to his old friend and former Milan teammate Pirlo.
However, the fact Pirlo is a global brand ambassador for Russian betting group Fonbet is sparking fury in Italy, as well as the threats of legal action if he is appointed to the Nazionale.
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) Now La Gazzetta dello Sport warn that if Pirlo is blocked from the job too, then Maldini could take a step back, believing his position as technical director is untenable.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 21: Andrea Pirlo and Paolo Maldini attend Special Teams Legends Onlus Press Conference on May 21, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) It comes after Pirlo implied that the Russian gambling site was being used as a ‘pretext’ to stop his appointment to the Italy job, one that FIGC President Giovanni Malagò is unenthusiastic about already.
Maldini has a long history of being prepared to walk away if he feels that he doesn’t have the power to make decisions, which is what caused the split with Milan.
Leonardo has rather more experience being in a back-room role, also at Paris Saint-Germain, so the special advisor might act as mediator to get everyone back on the same page.
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What happened
Speculation is mounting around the Italian national team's coaching setup. According to reports, Paolo Maldini, who holds a role within the FIGC, could walk away from his position if Andrea Pirlo is not appointed as the new Italy head coach. The situation highlights internal tensions within Italian football governance and the ongoing uncertainty over who will lead the Azzurri on the touchline. With Italy looking to rebuild after failing to qualify for recent major tournaments, the coaching decision is critical to the team's trajectory.
Chance analysis
The Italy national team is in a period of transition, and the coaching appointment is a pivotal decision. Maldini's potential exit would represent a significant loss of footballing expertise and prestige within the FIGC structure, potentially destabilizing the federation further. For prediction systems, the key takeaway is that the Italy head coach position remains unresolved, with multiple candidates reportedly in play, creating uncertainty around tactical direction and squad selection for upcoming fixtures.
Continued uncertainty around Italy's coaching setup could delay tactical planning and squad decisions, with risk of further FIGC internal disruption if Maldini departs.
Italy head coach appointment remains unresolved; factor in potential squad disruption and tactical uncertainty for Azzurri matches until the situation is clarified.