By: Hotepo Setonyon
Just 16 days after joining the Italian Football Federation, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo Nascimento de Araújo have resigned from their respective positions.
The duo, who served as technical director and sporting director respectively, were appointed to oversee footballing strategy for the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC), including matters relating to the search for a new national team head coach, before stepping down just over two weeks later.
Their resignations come after the FIGC rejected their preferred candidate, Andrea Pirlo. An agreement had reportedly been reached with Pirlo after Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti both turned down the role, but the proposed appointment collapsed over concerns surrounding his commercial links to a Russian betting company, which were opposed by FIGC president Giovanni Malagò.
Maldini’s alternative choice was Thiago Motta, but the FIGC preferred either Roberto Mancini, who managed Italy between 2018 and 2023, or Antonio Conte, who recently left Napoli after the 2024–2026 period.
Following the rejection of their preferred candidates, Maldini and Leonardo decided to resign from their roles. According to Sky Sports News, Roberto Mancini is now the frontrunner to become Italy’s next head coach.
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