According to a detailed report by lequipe.fr, the Italian football landscape is undergoing a massive structural overhaul following years of tournament heartbreak. While France and Morocco prepared for their high-stakes World Cup quarter-final clashes, Italians were left reminiscing about the twenty-year anniversary of their 2006 World Cup triumph in Berlin. The nostalgic images of Fabio Cannavaro lifting the trophy only served to reopen recent wounds, as the Nazionale has failed to taste the emotions of a major tournament final phase since 2014.
// RELATED STORIES
Enjoying this article?
Get even more captivating stories by subscribing to our newsletter. It's free!
Subscribe Sekarang →The crisis reached a tipping point earlier this year when Italy saw their qualification hopes vanish during a dramatic penalty shootout defeat against Bosnie-Herzégovine. In response to the growing defiance surrounding Italian football, the newly elected federation president, Giovanni Malago, recognized the need for unparalleled prestige and competence. He immediately turned to the legendary former AC Milan captain, Paolo Maldini, who perfectly embodies the historical grandeur of the Azzurri with his 126 international caps.
Based on executive insights, the 58-year-old Maldini has already proven his administrative prowess during his tenure as technical director at AC Milan, where he masterminded the 2022 Serie A title victory through astute signings like Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao. After parting ways with Milan's American ownership in 2023, Maldini rejected multiple offers from foreign clubs, waiting for a project close to his heart. He quickly accepted the federation's proposal on one major condition: that he be joined by his trusted friend and former teammate, Leonardo.
The 56-year-old Brazilian tactician, known for his high-profile executive stints at AC Milan and PSG, has officially signed a four-year contract alongside Maldini running until the 2030 World Cup. President Giovanni Malago aptly described the duo as "two faces of the same medal." Together, Maldini will serve as the technical director while Leonardo takes on an advisory role, with their immediate and most crucial task being the appointment of a new national team manager.
From editorial monitoring, several high-profile managerial options are currently being weighed by the new technical duo. The fiery Antonio Conte, who recently parted ways with Naples, is a strong candidate due to his ability to instill a winning mentality, though his steep wage demands remain a hurdle. Meanwhile, former manager Roberto Mancini remains a polarizing figure after abandoning the national team for Arabie saoudite in 2023, and Stefano Pioli remains a familiar option due to his past success working alongside Maldini.
Observation by the editorial team indicates that the most ambitious, albeit difficult, path leads directly to Pep Guardiola. The legendary Spanish manager is currently free and has never hidden his deep affection for Italy and his desire to coach an international team in the future. While financial constraints present a massive obstacle for the federation, Leonardo's renowned negotiation skills and persuasive capabilities could prove decisive in attempting to pull off what would be the most spectacular coup in modern Italian football history.