Italy legend Maldini appointed new FIGC technical director

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Italy legend Paolo Maldini has been named the FIGC’s new technical director on a four-year deal.

New president Giovanni Malago, who replaced Gabriele Gravina last month, has appointed Maldini as part of the governing body’s ongoing transformation following Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup.

The former AC Milan and Italy defender served in the same role between 2019 and 2023 with the Rossoneri, having also previously worked as a sporting director after winning five European Cups during a glittering playing career at San Siro.

Maldini will be joined by ex-Milan team-mate Leonardo, who is set to serve in an advisory role, with both contracts intended to last until the conclusion of the 2030 World Cup.

Paolo Maldini is the new FIGC Technical Director and President of Club Italia

— Italy (@Azzurri_En) July 12, 2026

“Maldini was always my first choice,” Malago said. “I felt he could be the right person to oversee the FIGC’s technical sector, which doesn’t just cover the senior national team, but the entire pathway of the national youth teams.

“Over the past two weeks, we have discussed all the projects in detail, and Paolo immediately told me that he would be happy to involve Leonardo as a consultant because there is a lot of work to do, and it will be demanding and challenging.

“I’m pleased because I have enormous respect for Leonardo. They are two sides of the same coin. This is a four-year commitment that must take us from here to the next World Cup in 2030, with a European Championship along the way.”

Maldini is Italy’s third most-capped player (126), behind only 2006 World Cup winners Gianluigi Buffon (176) and Fabio Cannavaro (136).

The 58-year-old was also part of the Azzurri side that finished as runners-up at the 1994 World Cup and 2000 European Championship.

Maldini will be tasked with appointing Italy’s new head coach, with Roberto Mancini reportedly the favourite to succeed Gennaro Gattuso.

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