The whole lot FIGC President Giovanni Malagò stated masking the Andrea Pirlo controversy, Paolo Maldini resignation, arrival of recent Italy coach Roberto Mancini and technical director Claudio Ranieri.
The Italian soccer world has been turned on its head within the area of 17 wild days, as a result of that’s when Paolo Maldini was named because the technical director of Membership Italia, with Leonardo as particular advisor.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 16: AC Milan Sporting Technique & Growth Director Paolo Maldini and AC Milan Membership Sporting Director Leonardo De Araujo earlier than the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on February 16, 2019 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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They have been supposed to decide on the brand new coach, however after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola turned it down, third alternative Andrea Pirlo was blocked over his world model ambassador contract with a banned Russian playing firm, Fonbet.
Maldini and Leonardo resigned, simply 4 days after presenting their plans to the Lega Serie A and in a press convention, so Malagò took it upon himself to choose the brand new coach as an alternative.
He spoke to reporters after this morning’s Federation summit in Rome.
Malagò outlines Italy chaos
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“I apologise if yesterday I noticed a few of you in sizzling temperatures exterior and I could not provide you with many solutions. There have been no alternate options,” stated Malagò in a press convention.
“By the top of the week, we must always obtain the ultimate documentation for the EURO 2032 internet hosting file, with the deadline on July 31, as that may be a precedence and we’re working intently with UEFA to decide on the 5 stadiums to signify Italy.
“Close to the matter of the Italy coach, what was on the media yesterday was largely right, in that there was a candidate who had been chosen, and to a level agreed, as advised by technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo.
Italy technical director Paolo Maldini, particular advisor Leonardo, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò and Lega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli (figc.it)
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“Then the evolution of the nomination of Andrea Pirlo, who we had made an settlement with, led to me now not approving this candidacy. It was inopportune, I did not get time to learn the whole lot, however from what I noticed, I’m sorry that some blew this example up.
“There isn’t any different means of decoding the scenario, no different reality about it, no different cause for the selection. I used to be by no means conscious, and it appears neither was the technical director, of this collaboration since July 2025 and that represented one thing that made us replicate.
“This sparked one other place, and I am sorry to disappoint you, however there was no anger or controversy right here, sure to disappointment. Virtually earlier than we had even began, we have been coping with a singular scenario. I used to be clear in my place, so have been they, so like in lots of households, it was a relaxed and consensual resolution to go our separate methods.
“That’s the solely reality of the scenario. The doc I wrote with Paolo Maldini and Leonardo speaks on to the settlement of this closing resolution.
OLDENZAAL, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 17: Head coach of Italy Roberto Mancini attends earlier than an Italy Coaching Session
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the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 at Ok.V.V Fast ’20 Stadium on June 17, 2023 in Oldenzaal, Netherlands. (Photograph by Claudio Villa/Getty Pictures)
“Time is brief, your curiosity because the media additionally pushed us to rush, and I evaluated the one that ought to develop into the brand new coach of Italy is Roberto Mancini, for a complete record of causes. I take accountability for these, however I wish to make clear that this doesn’t change the brand new tradition and function of a technical director at Membership Italia.
“That isn’t to be confused with different roles. It’s what Paolo Maldini had agreed to, and you need to realise that we made a elementary modification of the statute for Membership Italia. Till now, the FIGC President had been the one determine who may lead the Membership Italia, so this can be a cultural shift.
“With what occurred yesterday, I wanted somebody who may share my imaginative and prescient of who can be the Italy coach, as a result of there must be a shared imaginative and prescient with the President and technical director of Membership Italia. This shared imaginative and prescient on Mancini was not current with Paolo Maldini.
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“The particular person I share that imaginative and prescient with is Claudio Ranieri, who a couple of minutes in the past assured he would take the function. He’s the one that will take this crucial and delicate function. We already spoke on the cellphone, and tomorrow there will likely be a press convention with each Roberto Mancini and Claudio Ranieri at 18.00.”
Malagò then took questions from the assembled media in Rome on the FIGC headquarters.
“That is the story, it’s the way you achieve expertise, it was essential to do the whole lot with readability and inside our conscience. I did share the imaginative and prescient of selecting Pirlo, and I’ve little question he would’ve terminated his contract with the betting firm that he was a testimonial for, however for a collection of causes, I did not really feel it was proper.
“So consequently, right this moment we’ve got a brand new coach and a brand new technical director for Italy.
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“The final information is that by the top of the week I intention to announce a 3rd determine who can come on board. I urge you to not begin naming names, as a result of I do not assume you will get it, and the function will likely be one which Gigi Riva and Gigi Buffon had up to now, co-ordinating and for instance supervising the Italy youth groups.
“Viscidi is staying with us, he has that function now, however it’ll full the method of decisions that everybody unanimously agreed with.
“Lastly, do not ask me for numbers as a result of I will not give them, however it is rather constructive that each Roberto Mancini and Claudio Ranieri have behaved with nice sensibility on the price range points that should be considered.”
Does he have any regrets?
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“No, as a result of if I have been to return, I can solely thank Maldini and Leonardo. I spent extra time in dialog with them over the past 15 days than anybody else. I’m a fatalist, I’ve a constructive view of what future provides us.
“You’ll be able to all determine on if my place was proper or incorrect, however one thing damaging can keep away from you working into different issues in future. Maldini and Leo have been gents, as all the time, but additionally clear and sincere on their views. So was I.”
There have been stories right this moment that Malagò had advised the FIGC meeting of Mancini’s appointment.
“I have not even advised the FIGC assembly about Ranieri, as a result of my cellphone was off in the course of the assembly and the ultimate particulars are nonetheless being performed. After I advised them about Mancini, we timed that inside 2 minutes and 30 seconds, the ANSA information company appeared that I introduced it.
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“So I’ve recognized the leaker and I joked that is why I am unable to let you know issues! There was actually whole settlement over the selection.”
PISA, ITALY – MAY 17: Antonio Conte supervisor of SSC Napoli appears to be like on in the course of the Serie A match between Pisa SC and SSC Napoli at Area Garibaldi on Could 17, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photograph by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Pictures)
Why did they not go for Antonio Conte?
“Conte’s story speaks for himself, I evaluated many issues, however some right here proceed to take a look at issues from yesterday’s actuality and never right this moment’s actuality. Right now there’s a coach and a President of Membership Italia.
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“The tandem is Roberto Mancini and Claudio Ranieri. That’s the response.”
Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Italy interacts with Alberigo Evani, Assistant Coach of Italy in the course of the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Spherical of 16 match between Italy and Austria at Wembley Stadium at Wembley Stadium on June 26, 2021 in London, England. (Photograph by Justin Tallis – Pool/Getty Pictures)
Have been Giorgio Chiellini or Gianfranco Zola thought-about for roles in Membership Italia?
“To be sincere, Conte is somebody who doubtlessly may’ve been the coach, naturally, he has the whole lot required. Zola is a kind of individuals who could be chosen for the third function.
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“Chiellini? One of many points I used to be very clear with speaking to Paolo and Leo is that out of respect for the golf equipment that supported me, I would not attempt to poach somebody from their workers. So there may’ve been different potential coaches and technical administrators, sturdy names, who I didn’t consider.
“I do know you will write that down on the backside, but it surely’s a type of respect.”
LEWISBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – JUNE 14: Former Juventus and Italian nationwide workforce defender Giorgio Chiellini arrives on the airport previous to the official FIFA Membership World Cup 2025 on June 14, 2025 in Lewisburg, West Virginia. (Photograph by Michael Owens/Getty Pictures)
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Will Lele Oriali be the Staff Supervisor?
“It isn’t a Staff Supervisor, it is somebody overseeing the Nazionale ranges and that features that function.”
A ballot stated over 80% of individuals assume Mancini will not be the precise man for Italy after the way in which he left in 2023.
“In fact I took that into consideration. I will not say what he’ll discuss, however I assume he’ll talk about this in tomorrow’s press convention. I’ve taken all of this into consideration.”
Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi stated somebody made a nasty impression, however who?
“I spoke to the Minister right this moment, no matter I say, folks will twist it. So I wish to finish this right here, you’ve got already bought sufficient headlines out of that.”
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – MARCH 05: Giovanni Malago, President of the Organising Committee for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Video games, speaks in the course of the Paralympic Video games Opening Press Convention forward of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Video games at on March 05, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photograph by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Pictures)
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Does this scrap the plans for youth academy reform?
“That is still the identical plan, 100 per cent, nothing has modified there. A practice is on two tracks, often if you happen to go at two totally different speeds, you’ll derail. However right here, we have to go at two totally different speeds.
“You guys wrote this morning, if we’re relegated within the Nations League, what’s going to occur? The brand new coach could have TWO coaching periods to arrange for the primary sport. And since Italy misplaced the play-off to Bosnia, I do not assume we gave passports to Lamine Yamal, Mbappe and Kane… So are we being severe right here?
“The primary velocity should be attempting to do one of the best with what we’ve got, additionally safeguarding the European rating in a gaggle towards groups that have been all on the World Cup, Turkiye, Belgium and France. If you wish to be goal and severe, ending fourth in that group is logical over the World Cup, and also you danger ending up in a play-off with a gaggle that has Spain, England and Germany.
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“I learn somebody say that if we had this coach, then we might be high quality within the Nations League, one other and we might be doomed. That isn’t severe.
First Italy coaching below Gennaro Gattuso on September 1, 2025.
“Secondly, we have to go at a velocity for an space that must be utterly torn up, began from scratch, and the seeds sowed. That’s ranging from the youth academies, those that right this moment are 13, 14, 15 years previous, and setting a six-year plan for somebody who may then be known as as much as the Nazionale in 2032.”
Was Mancini the primary alternative in Could and in that case why not go for him then?
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“I believed very strongly and nonetheless consider within the idea of the Membership Italia and a technical director. So any identify I would select, I wished Paolo Maldini and Leonardo to make the identify. It was frankly not a difficulty then.”
So why did Maldini and Leonardo stroll away after presenting a reputation?
“There have been no different names. We had outlined the profile of a coach, so an outline of traits. Not names.”
