Overview
- Paolo Maldini told Corriere della Sera on August 9 that he resigned because agreed powers were scaled back and trust no longer existed, so he refused to sign the planned four‑year contract.
- Maldini said his brief project, launched after his July appointment as FIGC technical director, had pursued high‑profile options including Pep Guardiola before turning to Andrea Pirlo as the preferred candidate.
- Maldini says Guardiola came very close but declined for reasons of exhaustion and recovery, and he strongly rejected reports that salary demands derailed talks.
- FIGC president Giovanni Malagò publicly blocked Pirlo over publicity about the coach’s ties to the Russian betting firm Fonbet, then reasserted presidential control and reinstated Roberto Mancini as coach while naming Claudio Ranieri technical director.
- The leadership clash halted Maldini’s long‑term plan for youth development, scouting and a new playing identity and leaves the federation’s planned overhaul uncertain as Nations League and qualifying fixtures approach.