Malagò: ‘Donnarumma approves Mancini as Italy coach, UEFA-FIFA total conflict’ | OneFootball

FIGC President Giovanni Malagò reveals Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma approves of Roberto Mancini as the new Italy coach, but UEFA and FIFA are ‘in total conflict’ and things are about to get worse.

The Federation chief was only elected a month ago, but has already overseen a firestorm for the Azzurri.

Italy technical director Paolo Maldini, special advisor Leonardo, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò and Lega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli (figc.it)

Malagò created the role of Club Italia technical director for Paolo Maldini and special advisor Leonardo, who resigned over the weekend when Andrea Pirlo was blocked from becoming coach due to a brand ambassador role with a Russian betting company that is banned in Italy.

Instead, he chose Mancini as Italy coach, with Claudio Ranieri as technical director and President of Club Italia, who were both presented in a joint press conference today.

Malagò reveals support of Italy players

It was feared the players might respond angrily considering Mancini walked away in 2023 to take the lucrative Saudi Arabia national team job instead, but that was not the case.

“After yesterday’s press conference, (former FIGC President) Gabriele Gravina called me up and said well done, this is exactly what I would’ve done, choosing Mancini and Ranieri,” revealed Malagò.

“Last night, Gigio Donnarumma sent me a text that said ‘President, thank you, this is exactly what the squad and I wanted.’”

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy warms up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

On top of the chaos surrounding the Italy squad, the new FIGC President has also had to deal with the growing schism between UEFA and FIFA, which could lead to direct and dramatic action.

It comes after FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced plans to sell off stakes in its competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.

“Last night, the UEFA secretary general asked me to participate in a video call with the most prestigious leagues in Europe, like Spain, France, Germany and England. That was a show of how much UEFA hold us in consideration,” explained Malagò.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – MARCH 5: Giovanni Malago, President of the Organising Committee for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, speaks during the mural inauguration ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at the Cortina Paralympic Village on March 05, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images for IPC)

“I had also received a series of documents on this project, let’s call it that, which is frankly unusual from FIFA. Obviously, during the video conference call, President Ceferin was strongly against it.

“Tomorrow, there will be an assembly, I cannot say if it is formal or not, with all the federations in Europe. I’ve already seen some strong positions, even outside the world of football. There’s no doubt the situation between UEFA and FIFA is one of total conflict. We already knew it was, but this has created an insuperable barrier between the two worlds.

“I really could’ve done without this right now, to be honest. We will release a statement tomorrow with everything that implies. We are in Europe, we are with UEFA, but we’ll see the formal positions.”