Maldini and Leonardo resign from Italy roles after federation blocks Pirlo appointment over Russia ties

The veto that triggered the exits

Andrea Pirlo was the sole candidate put forward by technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo to replace Gennaro Gattuso, who resigned in April after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. The federation had already seen earlier approaches to Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti rejected. A deal with Pirlo, currently coaching Dubai United in the UAE, was reached late last week; a four-year contract worth 1.5 million euros per year plus bonuses was reportedly ready for a Tuesday announcement, according to La Repubblica.

Over the weekend, however, the candidacy unravelled. FIGC president Giovanni Malago ordered a legal review of Pirlo's contract with Fonbet, a Russian bookmaker for whom the 47-year-old serves as global ambassador. Pirlo had visited Moscow for promotional events in May, on a day of heavy Russian attacks on Ukraine. The consumer protection organisation Codacons announced it would file a complaint on Monday and seek an injunction from the Lazio Regional Administrative Court if the FIGC proceeded with the appointment.

If FIGC appoints him as coach of the national team, an appeal will immediately be filed with the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio (TAR) to block the nomination.

Pirlo's public defence

Pirlo learned of the decision on Sunday evening while in Austria with Dubai United, who were playing a friendly against Salzburg (1-1). "A phone call changed everything," La Gazzetta dello Sport reported, adding that Pirlo was told directly he would not become Italy coach.

On Monday morning, Pirlo posted a statement on Instagram confirming the news. "Last night I learned that I am no longer a candidate for the Italy national team," he wrote. In a longer message he expressed bitterness at the public debate and insisted the Fonbet deal was purely commercial, originating during his time in the UAE.

The professional collaboration that has been the subject of recent controversy arose in the context of my career in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively commercial and sporting in nature. To attribute political significance to this collaboration would mean attributing to me views that I have never expressed and that are not mine.

Zbigniew Boniek, the former PZPN president and UEFA vice-president, told La Repubblica on Sunday that Pirlo was "the right man in the right place" and a "symbol of Italian football," but also urged him to resolve the controversy quickly through a written statement expressing regret and terminating the contract.

The resignations

Maldini, who had accepted the technical director role only after receiving assurances he could choose the coach independently, viewed the political rejection of Pirlo as a pretext to undermine his authority. Italian media reported he made it clear: if Pirlo did not get the job, he would leave. On Monday, he did exactly that, resigning from the FIGC. Leonardo, brought in as his advisor, followed him out.

Anyone who is or promotes Russia after 2022 should not hold a national office.

The walkout leaves the Italian federation searching for both a head coach and the entire sporting leadership structure that was meant to modernise the four-time world champions after two decades without a World Cup knockout win, their last success at the tournament came in 2006.

What happens next

President Malago now faces a void at the top of the national team setup. Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini, two obvious alternatives, carry their own liabilities: Conte is seen as a serial club-switcher, while Mancini's abrupt departure from the national team in 2023 still stings. The Codacons complaint and potential legal action add further pressure. Italy's next competitive fixtures approach without a coach or technical director in place.