Paolo Maldini — Italian Football Federation technical director who resigned in July 2026 amid controversy over Andrea Pirlo's candidacy.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Chronicle
… That fell through, though, and Italian Football Federation technical director and defensive legend Paolo Maldini resigned after a move to appoint Andrea Pirlo also collapsed due to his commercial links with a Russian betting company. …
Pep Guardiola rejected the Italy job because of ‘Exhaustion’ -Paolo MaldiniJoy Online
… In the 1993-94 season, Baresi and AC Milan manager Fabio Capello lifted a third consecutive Serie A title, the Champions League and the Supercoppa Italiana Baresi formed part of one of European football’s most celebrated defences alongside Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and …
AC Milan and Italy great Baresi dies aged 66The Ghanaian Times
Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have decided to resign from their roles with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Sky Sport Italia reported on Monday. …
Maldini, Leonardo resign from Italy Fed. after Pirlo coaching plan failedThe Ghanaian Times
… Former FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo resigned from their roles on Monday after their primary candidate for the Italy coach’s position, Andrea Pirlo, had his appointment blocked due to his ties to a Russian betting firm. …
Mancini to take over Italy coach job with Ranieri as technical directorThe Chronicle
Roberto Mancini has been appointed Italy manager for a second time – just a day after Andrea Pirlo ruled himself out of the running for the job and technical director Paolo Maldini resigned. …
Mancini reappointed Italy boss after Pirlo controversyJoy Online
Roberto Mancini has been appointed Italy manager for a second time – just a day after Andrea Pirlo ruled himself out of the running for the job and technical director Paolo Maldini resigned. …
Mancini reappointed Italy boss after Pirlo controversyThe Ghanaian Times
… FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini, the former AC Milan and Italy defender who took up the role this month, is responsible for identifying the next national team coach who will lead the four-times world champions’ bid to qualify for the 2030 World Cup finals after failing …
Pirlo out of Italy coaching raceJoy Online
… Hours later, Italian football was plunged further into crisis as it was reported by Sky Sport Italia that two other senior figures in the FIGC, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, had decided to resign. …
Pirlo out of Italy football top job after backlash over Russian betting firm linksThe Ghanaian Times
… Italy’s new technical director Paolo Maldini revealed this week the country’s football federation (FIGC) also approached current Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti about the vacant position. …
Guardiola turns down Italy jobJoy Online
… But on Thursday, FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini said Italy first approached their former player Ancelotti, who is currently in charge of Brazil. …
Italy confirm Ancelotti approach before GuardiolaPep Guardiola came close to accepting the Italy national team manager position and even drafted line-ups, but ultimately rejected it due to exhaustion, according to Italian Football Federation technical director Paolo Maldini. Roberto Mancini was instead appointed to the role.
11 August 2026 · The Chronicle →
Pep Guardiola came close to accepting the Italy national team manager position and even drafted line-ups, but ultimately rejected it due to exhaustion, according to Italian Football Federation technical director Paolo Maldini. Roberto Mancini was instead appointed to the role.
11 August 2026 · The Chronicle →
Franco Baresi, who spent his entire 20-year playing career at AC Milan and captained the club for 15 seasons, has died aged 66. Regarded as one of the greatest defenders in football, he won six Serie A titles, three European Cups, and was capped 81 times by Italy, appearing in the 1982 World Cup-winning squad and the 1994 World Cup final.
31 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have resigned from their roles with the Italian Football Federation after Andrea Pirlo withdrew as a coaching candidate due to opposition over his commercial ties to a Russian betting company. The departures, coming just 16 days after Maldini's appointment, leave the federation without a clear national team strategy following Italy's failure to qualify for a third successive World Cup.
29 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Roberto Mancini will return for a second spell as Italy national team coach, replacing Gennaro Gattuso who left in April following a World Cup qualifying defeat, while Claudio Ranieri will take over as technical director. The appointment came after Pep Guardiola turned down the role and Andrea Pirlo's candidacy was blocked due to ties to a Russian betting firm.
29 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Roberto Mancini has been appointed Italy manager for a second time, a day after Andrea Pirlo withdrew from the position due to controversy over ties to a Russian betting company and Paolo Maldini resigned as technical director. Claudio Ranieri will replace Maldini in the role.
29 July 2026 · The Chronicle →
Roberto Mancini has been reappointed Italy manager a day after Andrea Pirlo withdrew from the running due to controversy over his ties to a Russian betting company, and Paolo Maldini resigned as technical director. Claudio Ranieri will replace Maldini in the role.
28 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Andrea Pirlo said he is no longer in contention to become Italy's head coach after criticism over his commercial ties to a Russian betting company Fonbet drew objections from Italian Football Federation officials and lawmakers.
28 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Andrea Pirlo has withdrawn as a candidate to coach the Italian national football team following backlash over his ties to Russian betting company Fonbet and appearances alongside pro-Kremlin figures. The controversy also prompted two senior Italian Football Federation officials, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, to resign.
27 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Pep Guardiola has turned down the vacant Italy coaching job, with sources indicating he intends to take "at least one year" out of football after leaving Manchester City. The Catalan coach wants to prioritize his personal life but remains open to international football roles in the future, as several nations have approached him.
27 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Italy's Football Federation approached Carlo Ancelotti, currently Brazil's manager, before holding talks with Pep Guardiola to fill the national team head coach position vacant since Gennaro Gattuso's resignation in April.
24 July 2026 · Joy Online →