In Italy, the new technical director, Paolo Maldini, is thinking big—and has his sights set on Pep Guardiola as the national team’s coach. Will it work out? After all, Guardiola wants to take a break first after his time at Manchester City. That’s not the only obstacle.
Big names and nostalgia aren’t always helpful. This is especially true during those periods when one lives in the subjunctive—as Italy has for the past twelve years, since it last qualified for a World Cup finals. Now, Paolo Maldini is tasked with breathing new life into the Azzurri’s World Cup aspirations.
That’s the decision made by the new federation president, Giovanni Malago, who was elected to office just a few weeks ago. At the very least, the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) now once again has big names in key positions that had been vacant since the third consecutive playoff disaster: Maldini belongs on the top shelf of Italian soccer hero worship, a category that no club color has ever taken issue with.
The federation is undergoing a revolution for Maldini
The eternal Milan captain and the captain of all tifosi. From Cesare to Paolo to Daniel—a dynasty of integrity like that of the Agnellis—only on the field. Of course, he bore no blame for the only “scandal” of his career—the seething absurdity that his elegance never earned him the Ballon d’Or. He was always one of that rare breed without a first and last name; he was always the symbiosis known as Paolomaldini, because that’s how it belonged together.
Now Paolomaldini is taking on the complicated legacy of his predecessors—the eminent Gigi Riva, the inspirational motivator Gianluca Vialli, and Gigi Buffon, who had tried in vain to bring the organization into the modern era. For Maldini, the federation is undergoing a revolution, as for the first time the Technical Director will become head of “Club Italia,” the umbrella organization overseeing all national teams. This role had previously been held by the federation president.
However, his experience from 902 matches for AC Milan and 126 international appearances alone won’t be enough, as the structural problems of Italian soccer can’t be magically solved simply by having a big name at the helm. To tackle these issues, the 58-year-old brought in his former teammate Leonardo as an advisor. The two played together in Milan for five years; in 2018, manager Leonardo hired his friend Maldini as AC Milan’s sporting director.
A duo combining expertise, charisma, and professionalism, they were given a four-year contract to steer the team clear of another World Cup disaster. “It’s a project designed to take us through the upcoming European Championship and on to the World Cup,” said Malago. He himself, as FIGC boss, might not be around to see it, as new elections are scheduled in two years.
The idea of Mancini borders on comedy
By then, at least Italy’s new coach should be decided. This decision, too, used to rest solely with the FIGC’s top official, but now Maldini and Leonardo are being involved in the selection. “I know I bear the responsibility, but we’ll be making the decision together in the coming days. Who knows, maybe all three of us will reach the same conclusion,” said Malago with subtle diplomacy, as their views are far apart.
The association head favors his buddy Roberto Mancini, but even the mere consideration of a second term borders on a comedy sketch. Although Mancini had led the Azzurri to victory at the 2021 European Championship, he resigned in a very dishonorable manner via email in mid-August 2023, only to sign on as Saudi Arabia’s national team coach just under two weeks later for nearly 30 million net per year. Mancini claimed there had been no contact whatsoever prior to his resignation, and anyone who suspected foul play was certainly not a mischievous soul.
Maldini and Leonardo are not particularly keen on the idea, so the decision-making committee must work through the list of candidates. Antonio Conte, for example, who has just left Napoli—though Maldini would not spend vacations with him. He’d be more likely to choose Stefano Pioli, who won the Scudetto in Milan during Maldini’s era but ran Florence into the ground last year.
Informal talks with Guardiola
Maldini and Leonardo favor two candidates: Andrea Pirlo and Pep Guardiola. An undisputed maestro on the field, Pirlo has gained modest experience on the bench at Juve, Karagümrük, Sampdoria, and currently FC United in Dubai; nevertheless, the duo seems convinced by his ideas.
There have been informal talks with Guardiola, who actually wanted to take a longer break at first, but the Spaniard would have to do without a few zeros in his salary. There are dreams, and in the case of the cash-strapped FIGC, there’s also the reality of the numbers. Guardiola has never made a secret of his fondness for Italy, and if anyone could convince him to take on a project, it would certainly be Maldini. Pardon me, Paolomaldini.