World Cup

Maldini, Malagò and Leonardo will choose a shortlist for the coach of Italy

15 July 2026·4 min read·Victoria Ortega
Maldini, Malagò and Leonardo will choose a shortlist for the coach of Italy

The Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) has made a clear move to fill the vacant position as head coach of the Italian national team. According to the Gazzetta report, there will be a technical meeting

Maldini, Malagò and Leonardo will choose a shortlist for the coach of Italy

By Sports.

Context

Having a new coach is important for Paolo Maldini as technical director, who is responsible for building a strong team. The decisions he makes with Malagò and Leonardo could affect Italy's future in international football. Names like Gennaro Gattuso and Antonio Conte have highlighted the challenges the federation faces in choosing the right person for the position.

Why it matters

The selection of a new coach for the Italian national team is an important step to restore the confidence of the fans after the failure to qualify for the World Cup. The decisions of Paolo Maldini, Giovanni Malagò, and Leonardo can set the direction for the future of the team, especially in the upcoming qualifications and competitions. The right choice of coach can bring about a change in the strategy and performance of the team.

Key Points

  • Maldini, Malagò and Leonardo will choose a shortlist for the coach of Italy.
  • The search for a new coach for the Italian national team is approaching a decision after meetings with Maldini, Malagò and Leonardo; how many names are on the table according to the Gazzetta.
  • Paolo Maldini remains central to Italy's plans.
The Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) has made a clear move to fill the vacant position as head coach of the Italian national team. According to the Gazzetta report, technical director Paolo Maldini, FIGC president Giovanni Malagò and adviser Leonardo will have a meeting to finalize the shortlist of candidates. It has not been confirmed whether the three will meet face-to-face, but it is expected that there will be communication today to discuss possible names for the job for the first time. This circular process will be followed by a decision reportedly expected to come out next week, according to the same newspaper. The post was left vacant after Gennaro Gattuso resigned following the team's failure to qualify for the World Cup — an event that prompted a reshuffle in the division of responsibility within the federation. As a temporary solution, U21 coach Silvio Baldini took charge of the senior team's friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece in June.
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Many names have been linked to the position in recent days. Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini have long been mooted as the main candidates—but the Gazzetta notes that Conte is no longer in the first list of possibilities, while Mancini has strong ties to Malagò. Several other names such as Andrea Pirlo have also been floated, and even the widely mentioned possibility of Pep Guardiola has been discussed, but the report points out that signing him could be difficult due to financial considerations for the federation. The choice of a new coach is critical for the future of Italian football, especially as the team rebuilds after the international qualification failure. The next decisions from Maldini, Leonardo and Malagò will set the direction of the project — from the style of the game to the selection of players and plans for future matches and international campaigns. Azkals Goal will continue to monitor and report when there is an official announcement from the FIGC or when the federation issues a final decision. For now, Italy's focus is on the shortlist development process and the expected final verdict next week, according to the Gazzetta.

What's next

The FIGC is expected to make a final decision next week regarding Italy's new head coach. The shortlist formed by Maldini, Malagò, and Leonardo will contain names such as Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo, who could be prime candidates. The next steps are focused on building a team that is ready to compete in the next matches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Italy's head coach position?

Gennaro Gattuso resigned after the team's failure to qualify for the World Cup, prompting a search for a new head coach.

Who are the people involved in choosing Italy's new coach?

Paolo Maldini, Giovanni Malagò, and Leonardo were involved in the meeting to compile the shortlist of candidates.

Why the coach selection process now?

The process started after Gennaro Gattuso resigned, and the FIGC needed to reorganize their coaching structure.

What are the possible names floated for the position?

Names like Antonio Conte, R oberto Mancini, Andrea Pirlo, and Pep Guardiola have been floated as possible candidates.

What is the next step in the selection process?

It is expected that there will be a decision from the FIGC next week after the meeting of those involved.

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Mga Madalas na Itanong

What happened to Italy's head coach position?
Gennaro Gattuso resigned after the team's failure to qualify for the World Cup, prompting a search for a new head coach.
Who are the people involved in choosing Italy's new coach?
Paolo Maldini, Giovanni Malagò, and Leonardo were involved in the meeting to draw up the shortlist of candidates.
Why is the coach selection process now?
The process began after Gennaro Gattuso resigned, and the FIGC needed to reorganize their coaching structure.
What are the possible names floated for the position?
Names such as Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini, Andrea Pirlo, and Pep Guardiola have been floated as possible candidates.
What is the next step in the selection process?
A decision from the FIGC is expected next week after a meeting of those involved.
What happened in this story?
Maldini, Malagò and Leonardo will choose a shortlist for the coach of Italy summarizes the main development covered in this report.
Who confirmed this news?
See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.
World Cup 2026ItalyMilanPaolo MaldiniLeonardoGiovanni MalagòGennaro GattusoSilvio BaldiniConteManciniAndrea PirloPep Guardiola

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