Official: Maldini appointed FIGC technical director in Italy national team revolution
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Paolo Maldini has been officially appointed as technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), as part of a broader restructuring of Italy's national team setup.
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Attributed to original sourcePaolo Maldini has officially been appointed as the new technical director of the FIGC (Italian FA) and will be joined by former Milan teammate Leonardo as an advisor, the federation has confirmed.
Official: Maldini appointed new FIGC technical director The revolution of the Italy national team is well and truly underway: Former FIGC President Gabriele Gravina resigned following Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup at the end of March, as did head coach Gennaro Gattuso and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon.
ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: Gianluigi Buffon, Italy new head coach Gennaro Gattuso and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina pose during the press conference at Hotel Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) Giovanni Malagò was elected as the successor to Gravina as the new President of the FIGC in June, and he has since been hard at work to appoint a new technical director, who will play a key role in the imminent appointment of a new head coach.
Legendary former Milan and Italy defender Maldini has been chosen as the new technical director of the FIGC, and according to recent reports, will have ‘unprecedented’ powers as he looks to rebuild a national team that has won four World Cups but has failed to qualify for the last three editions of the tournament.
He, along with advisor Leonardo, have signed four-year contracts with the Italy national team set-up, which is intended to take them through until the end of the 2030 World Cup.
“With great pleasure, Giovanni Malagò, President of the FIGC, announces that Paolo Maldini has accepted the position of the federation’s technical director,” read a statement on the FIGC website.
“Giovanni Malagò will also entrust Paolo Maldini with the Presidency of Club Italia.”
Malagò himself commented: “Maldini has always been my goal. I thought he would be the right person to oversee the technical sector of the FIGC, which doesn’t only involve the senior national team, but the entire supply chain of the youth national sides.
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) “Over the last two weeks, we have talked about all the projects, going into specifics, and Paolo immediately told me that he would like to involve Leonardo as a consultant because of the demanding, challenging and time-consuming nature of the role.
“I am happy, because I have deep respect for Leonardo. They are two sides of the same coin. It is a four-year commitment which must take us from now until 2030, the next World Cup, also passing through a European Championship.”
Up next for Maldini, Leonardo and Malagò is the appointment of a new head coach of the Italy national team. The latest reports indicate that Roberto Mancini is the current frontrunner, over challenger Antonio Conte.
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What happened
Legendary former AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini has been named FIGC technical director in an official capacity. The appointment is framed as part of a wider revolution within the Italian national team structure. Maldini, who previously served in a similar role at AC Milan, brings extensive experience in football operations and player development. The move signals a significant shake-up in how the Azzurri are being organized ahead of future competitions.
Chance analysis
Maldini's appointment as FIGC technical director represents a high-profile structural change within Italian football governance. Having previously been let go from a similar role at AC Milan, Maldini returns to a senior football position at national level. For prediction systems, this has indirect relevance — it could influence Italy's player selection philosophy, youth development pathways, and tactical direction over the medium term, but does not immediately impact club-level match outcomes.
A positive structural change for the Italy national team setup, potentially shaping long-term player development and squad strategy but with no immediate effect on club-level results.
Monitor Italy national team squad selections and youth development trends for signs of Maldini's influence, but no immediate impact on club match predictions.