Malagò: ‘I will speak to everyone as soon as possible, Italy must regain credibility’ | OneFootball

FIGC President Giovanni Malagò assures he will ‘speak to everyone as soon as possible’ on the chaotic choice of a new Italy coach. ‘We must recover our credibility at the top level.’

The appointment of a new Nazionale tactician is becoming a genuine saga, with Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola turning it down, then Andrea Pirlo was picked before being ruled out by the controversy over his brand ambassador role for a Russian betting company.

Now there are reports that technical director Paolo Maldini and his special advisor Leonardo could resign too, just weeks after being given the roles created specifically for them.

Malagò dealing with Italy storm

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – MARCH 05: Giovanni Malago, President of the Organising Committee for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, speaks during the Paralympic Games Opening Press Conference ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at on March 05, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

“I’ve been receiving so many messages since this morning. I will speak to everyone as soon as possible, as is only right,” Malagò told Il Sole 24 Ore via Sky Sport Italia.

“I wanted to keep this appointment with you, but in the space of 25 minutes I’ll receive 700 new WhatsApp messages.”

The FIGC President warned that the choice of coach is not as important as the general reformation of the entire Italian football system, starting from the youth academies.

That will inevitably take time, so the results won’t be clear immediately.

“We must recover our credibility at the top level, where nothing can be taken for granted, and that means working with lads who are right now around 13-16 years of age.

“To do this, we must modify the supply chain of football academies in terms of formation and culture, so that implies the coach too.

“It’s a matter of sowing the seeds, but we do have very clear ideas,” concluded Malagò.

FIGC President Giovanni Malago (left) with coach Roberto Mancini (right): @coppa_canottieri via Instagram.

This desire for change is why Maldini and Leonardo do not seem keen on the idea of going backwards by bringing in Antonio Conte or Roberto Mancini, who already had experience in the Italy job.