Maldini yet to decide on future with Italy coaching staff
Quick summary
Paolo Maldini is still weighing up whether to remain in his role as part of the Italy national team coaching setup, with a final decision yet to be made.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceAndrea Pirlo will not be taking over as head coach of the Italy national team and reports over the last 24 hours suggest that FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini is prepared to resign over the matter. Here is everything you need to know about his next steps and when he will make his final decision.
Will Maldini stay or go? When will he make his decision? Maldini was appointed as the new technical director of the FIGC just over a fortnight ago, but is already considering stepping away after the decision to block Pirlo’s appointment to the role of Italy national team head coach.
Maldini and advisor Leonardo had strongly backed Pirlo, whose name was proposed after learning that neither Carlo Ancelotti nor Pep Guardiola would be taking over the Italy job.
However, complications around Pirlo’s candidacy soon emerged when it was uncovered that he was the global brand ambassador for Russian betting company Fonbet, which goes against several rules regarding the advertising of gambling in Italy.
Due to growing ‘political pressure’, the move to appoint Pirlo as the next Italy national team head coach has been blocked .
According to reports from various outlets, Maldini is prepared to resign over the matter.
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 03: (L-R) Paolo Maldini and Leonardo of Milan look on before the Serie A match between AS Roma and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on February 3, 2019 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) As per La Gazzetta dello Sport , FIGC President Giovanni Malagò will sit down to reassess the situation with Maldini and Leonardo in a meeting on Monday.
Malagò wants Maldini to show the same ‘trust’ that was shown to him, and to make him understand that the responsibilities surrounding the national team are different to those at club level, and ultimately, that the President has the final say.
Still, Malagò hopes to convince Maldini and Leonardo to remain on board, which La Gazzetta dello Sport claims will not be a straightforward task.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – MARCH 5: Giovanni Malago, President of the Organising Committee for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, speaks during the mural inauguration ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at the Cortina Paralympic Village on March 05, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images for IPC) The Pink Paper reports, however, that if Maldini sticks to his words and hands in his resignation, then Malagò will be forced to accept and start the search for a new technical director all over again.
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What happened
Paolo Maldini, who has been part of the Italy national team coaching staff, has not yet decided whether to continue in the role. Reports suggest he is evaluating his position, and a final decision is expected in the coming period. Uncertainty around his future adds intrigue to Italy's coaching structure ahead of upcoming international commitments. His potential departure would be a notable loss given his stature in Italian football.
Chance analysis
Maldini is a high-profile figure whose presence in the Italy setup carries significant weight in terms of experience and credibility. If he leaves, it could affect internal morale and the technical direction of the national team, particularly in defensive coaching given his background. The uncertainty itself is a storyline that may impact Italy's preparation and media narrative around the national team.
Potential loss of a high-profile coaching figure could impact Italy's technical staff stability and morale if Maldini departs.
Monitor Maldini's decision status before Italy's next fixture, as a departure would weaken the coaching staff's profile and could affect team preparation.