The Italian national football federation (FIGC) has appointed a legendary figure to spearhead a four-year plan to restore the Azzurri's status among the global football elite.
Paolo Maldini, a 58-year-old Italian football icon, will assume the role of technical director, overseeing the senior and youth national teams. As an unprecedented added responsibility, he will also serve as the president of Club Italia, the organization overseeing all national teams across all age groups, both men's and women's.
Maldini's primary mission is to revitalise the Azzurri after they lost their place among the global elite following consecutive World Cup misses despite a European Championship triumph in 2021. The Azzurri missed the last three World Cup tournaments under successive coaches, with Maldini's former AC Milan teammate Gennaro Gattuso resigning as head coach after Italy lost to Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties in a European play-off for the 2026 World Cup in late March. Italian football icon Antonio Conte has been touted as a possible successor, having held the role between 2014 and 2016. Maldini's appointment follows a tumultuous period in Italian football, with the national team struggling to recapture its former glory. His reputation as a shrewd tactician and accomplished leader will undoubtedly bring a much-needed injection of stability to the Azzurri. Throughout his illustrious playing career with AC Milan, winning seven Italian league titles and five Champions League trophies, Maldini earned 126 caps for Italy, participating in four World Cups and three European Championships. His career is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the sport and the country he represents. In a statement, newly-appointed FIGC president Giovanni Malago expressed his confidence in Maldini's abilities, stating, 'Maldini has always been my target…I felt he was the right person to oversee the FIGC's technical sector.' Maldini will work closely with former AC Milan sporting director Leonardo, who will serve as his advisor, to implement a comprehensive strategy aimed at restoring Italy's football supremacy. The Italian national team's recent struggles have sparked widespread debate among football fans and pundits, with many calling for a complete overhaul of the current system. Maldini's appointment marks a significant step towards revitalizing Italian football and rekindling the nation's love affair with the beautiful game. As the four-year plan unfolds, one thing is certain – Paolo Maldini's unyielding passion and football acumen will undoubtedly shape the future of Italian football and inspire a new generation of football enthusiasts. The full scope of Maldini's tenure will unfold in the coming months, with the FIGC eager to see tangible results of his efforts to revive the Azzurri and restore Italy's status among the football elite. In a bold move, the FIGC has opted to appoint Maldini simultaneously as club president of Club Italia, granting him ultimate authority over all sporting decisions, effectively giving him a free hand in shaping the future of Italian football. While Conte's possible return as head coach will undoubtedly generate significant interest, Maldini's appointment has set the wheels in motion for a period of sustained growth and revitalization within the Italian football federation.