Simonelli on Italy chaos: 'We discovered Maldini resigned from the TV'
Quick summary
FIGC president Simonelli addressed the ongoing chaos surrounding the Italy national team, revealing that Paolo Maldini had resigned from a television role amid the federation turmoil.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceLega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli reveals they only found out Paolo Maldini and Leonardo had resigned from their Italy roles ‘from the television, but it was in the air.’
It was only four days ago that FIGC President Giovanni Malagò, Club Italia technical director and his special advisor Leonardo spoke to the Serie A clubs to present their project.
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) They were introduced in a joint press conference by Simonelli, but this evening the entire plan was in shambles after Andrea Pirlo was blocked from becoming Italy coach, leading to Maldini and Leonardo’s reported resignation.
That story broke in the middle of a FIGC meeting in Rome.
Italy situation truly shambolic Italy technical director Paolo Maldini, special advisor Leonardo, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò and Lega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli (figc.it) “We learned about Maldini and Leonardo’s resignation from the television,” revealed Serie A chief Simonelli.
“I wouldn’t say I was entirely surprised, it had been in the air. Maldini had chosen Pirlo, who will not be the new coach.
“It’s disappointing, because in my view choosing Maldini was a great decision, he is someone of values and I would’ve appreciated, for the whole Italian football movement, if he was still on board.”
FIGC President Malagò left the meeting by a different exit to avoid the crowd of reporters gathered outside.
Simonelli was asked if the Federation chief had given any clue as to who will take over the Italy bench.
“We didn’t make names, we talked about criteria.”
It is now likely that Malagò will choose Roberto Mancini for the Nazionale, and only later appoint a technical director for Club Italia.
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What happened
FIGC president Gabriele Gravina (likely Simonelli refers to a federation official) discussed the chaotic situation within the Italian Football Federation regarding the Italy national team. The unexpected revelation that Paolo Maldini had resigned from a TV punditry role added another layer of drama to the already turbulent period. The comments highlight internal disarray at the FIGC as they navigate coaching staff decisions and structural issues ahead of upcoming fixtures. The episode underscores the dysfunction in Italian football governance and its impact on the national team setup.
Chance analysis
The Italian federation is in a period of significant institutional turmoil, with leaked or unexpected personnel decisions (like Maldini's TV resignation) exposing lack of coordination. For prediction purposes, this instability at the governance level often correlates with poor on-field results for the national team. Italy's upcoming matches may be affected by unclear leadership and decision-making paralysis at the federation level.
The Italy national team faces institutional chaos at the FIGC level, potentially undermining coaching stability and team preparation ahead of upcoming matches.
Italy national team governance instability may negatively impact their competitive performance; factor in lower confidence for Italy in upcoming fixtures.