Leonardo surprising new Italy advisor for technical director Maldini | OneFootball

The big surprise for Italy is the arrival of Leonardo as a special advisor, as FIGC President Giovanni Malagò reveals it was ‘Paolo Maldini’s suggestion’ he be involved.

There were weeks of talks before Maldini finally accepted the role of technical director at the Italy camp, which has been created especially for him to give some structure and consistency to the Nazionale.

It was no secret that he was the first choice for new Federation chief Malagò, but an unexpected part of the announcement was the inclusion of Leonardo as an advisor.

Leonardo takes key role for Italy

BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 16: AC Milan Sporting Strategy & Development Director Paolo Maldini and AC Milan Club Sporting Director Leonardo De Araujo before the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on February 16, 2019 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“From the start, Paolo told me that he would be happy to bring in Leonardo as a consultant, because there is a lot of work to be done, it’s going to be a tough challenge,” Malagò told TG2 Post.

“I am pleased too, because I have great respect for Leonardo. They are two sides of the same coin.”

The Brazilian turns 57 in September and has had a deep bond with Italian football for many years.

He played for Milan from 1997-2001, then again at the end of his career in 2002-03.

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 03: (L-R) Paolo Maldini and Leonardo of Milan look on before the Serie A match between AS Roma and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on February 3, 2019 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

After retirement, Leonardo started work with the Rossoneri as a talent scout, upgraded to technical director for 2008-09, and then as coach in 2009-10.

In a shock move, he then crossed over to city rivals Inter as coach in December 2010, where he remained until the end of the season.

Leonardo has since bounced around different jobs, including as Antalyaspor coach for just a few months in 2017.

He returned to Milan as technical director in 2018-19, where he worked alongside Maldini, and had two different spells at Paris Saint-Germain in 2011-13 and 2019-22.