Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have decided to leave the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). And this, only two weeks after their appointment.
The technical director, who could be replaced by Giorgio Chiellini, and his Brazilian advisor announced they were leaving their positions during a meeting in Rome. Both men were upset by the failure to appoint Andrea Pirlo as coach of the Nazionale. The latter posed a problem to President Giovanni Malagò because of his role as ambassador for
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“Pirlo lent his prestige to an operation to normalize the Putin regime even though Ukraine was under bombs. Choosing him is a serious mistake”said the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Pina Picierno, last Saturday.
Italy, a never-ending crisis
After the refusals of Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, Italy thought it would hold its coach. Gianluigi Buffon also declined the offer to return to the Squadra Azzurra staff. Last April, the former goalkeeper left his post as head of the Italian selection delegation.
At the time, they had just been knocked out by Bosnia-Herzegovina in the final of the European play-offs for the 2026 World Cup. Italy’s last participation in this competition dates back to 2014.
