Maldini, Leonardo resign from Italy federation after Pirlo coaching plan collapses

The move comes days after they agreed to take on the roles as part of a major overhaul of the national team management

Paolo Maldini. Photo: Reuters

Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have decided to resign from their roles with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Sky Sport Italia reported on Monday.

The move comes days after both figures agreed to take on the roles as part of a major overhaul of the national team management.

Maldini was appointed technical director of the FIGC on Jul 11 to help rebuild the national side after they failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup. One of his first tasks was to help identify a successor to Gennaro Gattuso, whose departure had left the coaching position vacant.

However, Maldini stepped down just 16 days later alongside Leonardo, the former Brazil international who had been brought in as his advisor.

The decision to step down comes shortly after former Italy international Andrea Pirlo said he was no longer a candidate to coach the Italian national side. His prospective appointment faced fierce opposition over his commercial ties to a Russian betting company.

The double departure creates an immediate crisis for newly appointed FIGC President Giovanni Malago. It leaves the federation without a clear national team strategy at its lowest ebb in nearly 40 years, coming on the heels of early European exits for Italian clubs last season and another failure to qualify for the World Cup.

Pirlo had been Maldini's primary choice for the job after Pep Guardiola rejected the federation's initial approach. Several other high-profile managers are now being linked with the vacancy, including Roberto Mancini, Thiago Motta, and Antonio Conte.

FIGC did not immediately respond when contacted by Reuters.