Paolo Maldini and Leonardo given Italy brief as search for head coach begins | OneFootball

The Italian federation has handed its rebuild to Paolo Maldini as technical director, with Leonardo appointed adviser on four-year deals aimed at the 2030 World Cup.

According to L'Équipe, new president Giovanni Malago, elected three weeks ago, turned to Maldini, who accepted on condition Leonardo joined him. Malago called them two sides of the same coin.

On Thursday 9 July, Italy marked 20 years since 2006, a bittersweet reminder as the Nazionale have not reached a finals since 2014. In March, qualification slipped away in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1-1 after extra time, 4-1 on penalties.

Maldini, 58, impressed at Milan from 2019, shaping the 2022 title side with recruits Theo Hernandez, Rafael Leao, Pierre Kalulu, Fikayo Tomori and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He left in 2023 after disagreements with the club’s American owners.

Focused on youth and development, he has consulted former team-mate Oliver Bierhoff, who held a similar role with Germany. The first task is choosing the head coach.

Antonio Conte, free since leaving Napoli in May, is a logical option, admired for swift impact, though salary demands could hinder talks. Roberto Mancini is available, yet his 2023 exit for Saudi Arabia still stings.

Stefano Pioli, champion with Milan in 2022, is another candidate. The steepest path leads to Pep Guardiola, also free and fond of Italy, but his salary looks prohibitive and would demand an especially convincing pitch.

Source: L'Équipe