FIGC President Giovanni Malagò reveals Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma approves of Roberto Mancini as the brand new Italy coach, however UEFA and FIFA are ‘in complete battle’ and issues are about to worsen.
The Federation chief was solely elected a month in the past, however has already overseen a firestorm for the Azzurri.
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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Malagò created the function of Membership Italia technical director for Paolo Maldini and particular advisor Leonardo, who resigned over the weekend when Andrea Pirlo was blocked from changing into coach because of a model ambassador function with a Russian betting firm that’s banned in Italy.
As an alternative, he selected Mancini as Italy coach, with Claudio Ranieri as technical director and President of Membership Italia, who have been each offered in a joint press convention right this moment.
Malagò reveals help of Italy gamers
It was feared the gamers may reply angrily contemplating Mancini walked away in 2023 to take the profitable Saudi Arabia nationwide group job as a substitute, however that was not the case.
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“After yesterday’s press convention, (former FIGC President) Gabriele Gravina known as me up and stated effectively completed, that is precisely what I’d’ve completed, selecting Mancini and Ranieri,” revealed Malagò.
“Final night time, Gigio Donnarumma despatched me a textual content that stated ‘President, thanks, that is precisely what the squad and I needed.'”
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy warms up previous to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
On high of the chaos surrounding the Italy squad, the brand new FIGC President has additionally needed to cope with the rising schism between UEFA and FIFA, which might result in direct and dramatic motion.
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It comes after FIFA President Gianni Infantino introduced plans to dump stakes in its competitions, together with the World Cup, to personal buyers.
“Final night time, the UEFA secretary common requested me to take part in a video name with essentially the most prestigious leagues in Europe, like Spain, France, Germany and England. That was a present of how a lot UEFA maintain us in consideration,” defined Malagò.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – MARCH 5: Giovanni Malago, President of the Organising Committee for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Video games, speaks in the course of the mural inauguration forward of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Video games on the Cortina Paralympic Village on March 05, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photograph by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Photos for IPC)
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“I had additionally obtained a sequence of paperwork on this undertaking, let’s name it that, which is frankly uncommon from FIFA. Clearly, in the course of the video convention name, President Ceferin was strongly in opposition to it.
“Tomorrow, there will probably be an meeting, I can not say whether it is formal or not, with all of the federations in Europe. I’ve already seen some robust positions, even outdoors the world of soccer. There isn’t any doubt the scenario between UEFA and FIFA is one in every of complete battle. We already knew it was, however this has created an insuperable barrier between the 2 worlds.
“I actually might’ve completed with out this proper now, to be sincere. We are going to launch an announcement tomorrow with every thing that means. We’re in Europe, we’re with UEFA, however we’ll see the formal positions.”