Paolo Maldini handed key FIGC role to lead Italy football rebuild

Italian football great Paolo Maldini has been named technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), taking on a leading role in the country’s efforts to revive its national teams after another World Cup qualification disappointment.

The appointment was announced by FIGC president Giovanni Malagò, who said Maldini had always been his preferred candidate.

“Maldini has always been my target,” Malagò said.

“I felt he was the right person to oversee the FIGC’s technical sector — a role that encompasses not just the senior national team, but the entire youth national team setup.

“We are embarking on a four-year commitment designed to take us from now through the next World Cup in 2030, with the European Championship along the way.”

The federation said Maldini will be supported by former Brazil international Leonardo Nascimento de Araújo, who will act as his adviser.

In addition to serving as technical director, Maldini will assume the presidency of Club Italia, becoming responsible for all Italian national teams across men’s and women’s football at every age level.

The unprecedented dual role places the former AC Milan captain in charge of major sporting decisions as Italy seeks to recover from missing three consecutive FIFA World Cups.

Among his first priorities will be identifying a successor to Gennaro Gattuso, who stepped down after Italy’s play-off defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Former national team coach Antonio Conte is regarded as one of the leading candidates for the vacant position following his recent departure from Napoli.

Maldini enjoyed an illustrious playing career with AC Milan, collecting seven league titles and five Champions League crowns before retiring.

He also represented Italy 126 times, playing in four World Cups and three European Championships, with runner-up finishes at the 1994 World Cup and Euro 2000 among the highlights of his international career.

After hanging up his boots, Maldini returned to AC Milan as sporting director, a position he held between 2019 and 2023.

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