Paolo Maldini and Leonardo resigned from their roles with the Italian national team on Monday, July 27, 2026, just 16 days after taking office.
The duo informed Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malagò of their decision after the appointment of Andrea Pirlo as head coach collapsed.
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The management crisis escalated after Malagò blocked Pirlo's appointment due to issues related to an agency blacklist.
Former manager Roberto Mancini has emerged as the leading candidate to take over the national team bench, while Antonio Conte remains a secondary option supported by Serie A clubs.
The resignations were confirmed during a federal assembly meeting in Rome involving key stakeholders from Italian football.
Lega Nazionale Dilettanti president Giancarlo Abete expressed disappointment over the sudden management turnover.
"We are not used to certain situations, and Malagò among other things did not give us names," Abete said.
He noted that federation members were caught off guard by the rapid developments within the national team leadership structure.
"We learned about it at the end of the components' meeting, from media reports," Abete added.
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"Until 45 minutes ago we were thinking about the alternatives wanted by the technical director and the advisor.
Now we must start again from a serious project."
Serie A League president Ezio Maria Simonelli also commented on the departures. "We learned from television about the resignations of Maldini and Leonardo, we took note of it.
Surprised? I would say no, it was in the air," Simonelli said.
Simonelli indicated that Maldini had been instrumental in pushing for Pirlo before the process collapsed. "Maldini had chosen Pirlo, who however will not be the head coach.
I am sorry because in my opinion Maldini was a great choice, a person of value, and I would have liked, for the entire football movement, for him to still be on board," he said.
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A federal council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, to determine whether the federation will immediately appoint a new head coach or select a new technical director first.
