Italy: Paolo Maldini and Leonardo already leave the national team

Just sixteen days after their appointment, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have decided to leave the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). Their departure comes in the wake of the abandonment of the Andrea Pirlo option for the head coach position, a U-turn that has deeply shaken the sporting project of the Azzurri.

According to Sky Sport, Paolo Maldini, appointed as technical director, and Leonardo, who was acting as an advisor, have submitted their resignations to president Giovanni Malagò. The two executives are said to have made this decision after the FIGC gave up on handing the reins of the national team to Andrea Pirlo, whose candidacy was dropped due to the Fonbet affair.

Their time at the Federation lasted only sixteen days, bringing a premature end to the newly established organization.

A project already abandoned

Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio points out that the new direction chosen by the FIGC was abandoned almost as soon as it began. According to him, the departure of Maldini and Leonardo is directly linked to the change of course regarding Andrea Pirlo, who will ultimately not be appointed as Italy's head coach.

This sudden reversal now forces the Federation to completely rethink its restructuring plan.

Several options to relaunch the Azzurri

In this new context, Roberto Mancini emerges as Giovanni Malagò's favorite to take charge of the Italian national team. At the same time, Giorgio Chiellini is being considered for the role of technical director.

On the other hand, the chances of Thiago Motta seem to be fading, since that scenario was closely tied to keeping Maldini and Leonardo within the Federation. The possibility of Antonio Conte taking the helm of the Nazionale also remains uncertain, especially given the questions surrounding his future in Serie A.

The FIGC must now decide whether to quickly appoint a new head coach or first opt for a technical director before finalizing the choice of the future boss of the Azzurri.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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