Maldini offered unprecedented powers to take on Italy role, prioritised over Conte
Quick summary
Paolo Maldini has been offered unprecedented powers to become the next Italy national team head coach, with the Italian Football Federation treating his appointment as a bigger priority than Antonio Conte.
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Attributed to original sourceNewly-elected FIGC President Giovanni Malagò is pushing to appoint both Antonio Conte and Paolo Maldini to leadership roles within the Italy national team set-up, but the appointment of the Milan legend in the role of technical director is currently the bigger priority and the Italian FA are willing to offer him unprecedented powers according to Thursday’s reports.
Maldini offered full control as technical director of the Italy national team According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport , Malagò’s ideal plan is to appoint Maldini as technical director of the Italy national team and then Conte as the head coach. This plan is reportedly supported by the Lega Serie A and its representatives, who gave Malagò their support in the recent FIGC Presidential elections .
La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that the Italian FA would seek to appoint Maldini as technical director before bringing in Conte as head coach.
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) If Maldini were to accept, he would be given unprecedented powers as the leader of the new ‘Club Italia’, which would see him have full control over the technical and youth sectors of the national team set-up.
It has also been suggested that there could potentially be a more prominent role for Gianfranco Zola in this new set-up: The former Italy international is currently serving as the vice-President of the Lega Pro (Serie C).
These ideas are expected to be discussed at length at the next meeting of the federal council on Wednesday.
There are some causes for concern, however, as La Gazzetta dello Sport hints that there is not much of a back-up plan at this stage, while SportItalia reported on Wednesday that Maldini is not entirely convinced about taking over as technical director of the Italy national team.
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What happened
According to Football Italia, Paolo Maldini has been offered an unprecedented level of authority and structural control should he accept the Italy national team managerial role. The report suggests the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is prepared to give Maldini significant powers over squad selection, backroom staff, and possibly sporting direction, making the offer one of the most influential ever proposed to an Italy coach. The pursuit of Maldini is described as a higher priority than securing Antonio Conte, who is also linked to the vacancy. The development signals a strategic shift from the FIGC as they seek a figure of Maldini's stature to revitalize the Azzurri.
Chance analysis
If Maldini accepts, this would represent a major restructuring of the Italy national team's coaching apparatus, potentially giving the head coach authority typically reserved for sporting directors. Such a model could reshape Italy's tactical and recruitment approach, though it carries execution risk given Maldini has no senior coaching experience. The fact that Maldini is prioritized over Conte — a proven winner — suggests the FIGC values long-term structural reform over immediate short-term results. This story matters because the Italy job remains vacant after Spalletti's departure, and the eventual appointment will shape Azzurri's trajectory through the next World Cup cycle.
A potential Italy national team appointment of Maldini would bring renewed prestige and structural change but introduces coaching inexperience risk, likely affecting Italy's competitive outlook over the next 12-24 months.
Italy's next head coach may be a managerial novice (Maldini) with broad structural powers rather than a proven winner (Conte), which could introduce uncertainty in Italy's short-term competitiveness.