Italy’s search for a new national team manager is set to intensify after Club Italia confirmed the appointments of Paolo Maldini as technical director and Leonardo as his deputy.
With the new leadership structure now in place, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is turning its attention to selecting the next coach of the Azzurri. Five high-profile names are currently under consideration: Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte, Pep Guardiola, Stefano Pioli and Roberto Mancini.
Discussions are expected to begin immediately, with no clear favourite having emerged and no final decision yet reached.
Among the candidates, Guardiola remains the federation’s most ambitious target, despite several significant obstacles. The Manchester City manager has previously suggested he intends to step away from coaching after his spell in England, while his salary expectations are likely to exceed what the FIGC can realistically offer. There are also doubts over whether the Spaniard would be willing to commit to a long-term project leading up to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, particularly when elite club opportunities could become available in the near future.
Despite those challenges, Italian football officials are reportedly unwilling to dismiss the possibility of securing Guardiola’s services. One factor working in their favour is his long-standing relationship with Maldini.
The two have shared a close bond since 2009, when Guardiola publicly paid tribute to the former AC Milan captain following Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League triumph.
Only days earlier, Maldini had brought his playing career to an end, but his farewell at San Siro had been overshadowed after sections of the home support jeered the club legend.
Speaking after Barcelona’s victory, Guardiola dedicated the European title to Maldini, describing him as one of the greatest footballers of the previous quarter-century and expressing his admiration for the Italian defender.
Those comments marked the beginning of a friendship that has endured ever since.
Seventeen years later, the pair could now find themselves working together with the Italian national team. While Guardiola’s appointment remains a challenging prospect, the federation believes Maldini’s presence could strengthen its hopes of persuading one of football’s most decorated managers to embark on a new chapter with the Azzurri.
