Italy Appoint Paolo Maldini as Technical Director for FIGC

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has officially appointed AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini as Technical Director, with former Brazilian international Leonardo joining him as a senior advisor, in a major restructuring aimed at restoring Italy's status on the international stage after missing the last three FIFA World Cups.

Maldini's new role will extend across all Italian national teams, overseeing technical development, coaching structures, player scouting, and youth development. He is also expected to play a key role in selecting the next head coach of the senior men's national team.

In addition, the 57-year-old will become president of Club Italia, the body responsible for supervising all Italian national teams, both men's and women's, across every age category. The position grants Maldini broad authority over the federation's sporting decisions in what is considered an unprecedented restructuring within Italian football.

His immediate priority will be rebuilding the national team following Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the country's third consecutive absence from football's biggest tournament after also missing the 2018 and 2022 editions, despite winning UEFA Euro 2020.

Italy are also searching for a new head coach after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down following the Azzurri's penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European qualification playoffs. Former Italy and Napoli manager Antonio Conte is among the leading candidates to take over.

Beyond the senior squad, Maldini is expected to oversee reforms in Italy's youth development system, with a particular focus on increasing opportunities for young Italian players in Serie A, where clubs have increasingly relied on foreign talent.

Widely regarded as one of football's greatest defenders, Maldini spent his entire playing career at AC Milan between 1985 and 2009, winning seven Serie A titles and five UEFA Champions League trophies. Internationally, he earned 126 caps for Italy, representing his country in four FIFA World Cups and three UEFA European Championships, finishing as runner-up at the 1994 World Cup and Euro 2000.

After retiring, Maldini returned to AC Milan as sporting director in 2019, playing a crucial role in rebuilding the club before his departure in 2023, a decision that many Milan supporters viewed as one of the club's biggest recent mistakes.