What Will Happen to the Italian Football Federation After Maldini?

The FIGC was left in a power vacuum after Maldini's departure and Chiellini's refusal, while Mancini and Conte appear as candidates for the bench.

Maldini and the institutional crisis

Paolo Maldini's resignation as the technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), just 16 days after his appointment, left the organization in a critical situation. His arrival had been presented as the beginning of a reconstruction after three consecutive World Cups without qualification, but the failed attempts to hire Guardiola, Ancelotti, and Pirlo ended up accelerating his departure along with his advisor Leonardo. The newly appointed president Giovanni Malagò was left exposed and under pressure to find a new direction.

Chiellini rules out taking over at the FIGC

Amid the uncertainty, Giorgio Chiellini's name emerged as a possible replacement for Maldini in the technical direction. However, the former defender was categorical in clarifying that he has no intention of leaving his role at Juventus: "I am very happy with my role at Juventus, where I have the support of Giovanni Carnevali and the club," he stated to the media. His refusal forces the federation to broaden the search and highlights the difficulty of attracting prominent figures during this time of crisis.

Mancini and Conte, candidates for the bench

The discussion about the future coach of Italy brings Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte back into the spotlight. Mancini, remembered for the title in Euro 2020 against England, left an ambivalent mark after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and then moving to Saudi Arabia in 2023. Conte, for his part, led the national team between 2014 and 2016, reaching the quarter-finals of the Euro before making the leap to Chelsea. Both represent familiar options, but also the dilemma of repeating cycles instead of opting for a deep renewal.