Giovanni Malago has finally made his first large decision as the new FIGC president. This came after his appointment a fortnight ago, when Malago was officaly elected. He was put in charge of a failing governing body, which was a major part of the reason, the Azzurri had missed out on three World Cups.

Malago, was trusted in steering the ship of the Azzurri back to World Cup paradise. First he would need to appoint some names to help him do so, mainly a technical director and a new manager. Malago has appointed his techinical director, none other than Azzurri legend Paolo Maldini, with it being offical confirmed by the Azzurri.

Maldini was a big get for Malago as he seemed inclined to turn the job down. Malago saw him as the number one option, but Maldini wasn’t completley on board. In fact all the rumors saw him turning the role down, in favour of something else. Which is why the announcement of his appointment came as a complete suprise.

But, now the focus will be forced to shift to finding a new manager for the Azzurri squad. The leading favourite for the role is still Roberto Mancini according to Fabrizio Romano. This comes as Mancini has given his full avabliabilty to the Azzurri, leaving his role at Al Sadd for the Azzurri job.

Sadd’s Italian coach Roberto Mancini instructs his players during the Qatar Stars League match between Al-Sadd and Al-Shamal at Jassim Bin Hamad…

Mancini also already has a good relationship with Malago, which will help foster a move. But, he isn’t the only name for the job as Antonio Conte has also made it known that he wants the job. Conte left his role at Napoli in the roles of managing the Azzurri for a second term, though no offer has been made to him as of yet.

Giovanni Malago was officially named president of the FIGC a fortnight ago. This comes as Malago has been put in charge of rebuilding the Azzurri system. The men’s national team missed the ongoing World Cup, the third in a row the Azzurri will be watching from home.

Malago is the one taking charge of a failing nation in the hopes of turning them around. His first jobs will be hiring a head-coach and a President to lead the FIGC into the future. Roberto Mancini is the leading name for the head-coach but Antonio Conte is still in the running.

Roberto Mancini, head coach of Al Sadd SC, reacts during the Amir Cup quarter-final match between Al Sadd SC and Al-Shamal SC at Ahmad bin Ali…

However, the president role is the more undefined role, but Malago does have a dream target ready. Paolo Maldini is the dream name for the role, but there is no guarantee he will take the role. Fabrizio Romano however, has discussed the rumour as Malago did meet with Maldini.

There meeting came yesterday, as the two discussed if it was possible for Maldini to take a role. Maldini is not necessarily closed to the role, but he is uncertain if he wants to take it yet. However, if he does take the role he will have some of his personal conditions for the role.

Maldini wants to ensure that he has real authority in the role and can undergo the changes he wants. This is because he wants to help shape the future of the national team and make changes needed. He doesn’t want to be stopped, by bureaucracy and focus on purely football which has stopped some of his predecessors.

Yesterday the Italian football federation got together to officially elect the FIGC president. Giovanni Malago was named president with 68.5% of the vote by the federation. Malago was the runaway favourite ever since the firing of Gabriele Gravina after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Now, that Malago has officially been made the president of the FIGC he needs to begin appointments around him. The first task will be a new manager for the Azzurri since the firing of Gennaro Gattuso alongside Gravina. Roberto Mancini has been in poll position for recent weeks with most publications linking him with the job.

Mancini has already had the job of Azzurri previously from 2018-2023 where he took them to a Euros win in the summer of 2021. However, he is not the only candidate with previous experience with the job, with Antonio Conte also being watched. This comes from a new report from Sport Mediaset.

Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Italy celebrates with The Henri Delaunay Trophy following his team’s victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final…

It is believed that Antonio Conte left Napoli after this season in the hopes of taking the Azzurri job. However, the decision will now come down to Malago to decide who will lead the national team into the nations league later this year. His decision will likely be supported by the new sporting director he will appoint.

A new Sporting Director

Paolo Maldini was the leading name for the sporting director role, one he had previously had at AC Milan and had succeeded in. However, Sport Mediaset is now reporting that he has turned down that role offered to him. This will lead Malago looking for new names for the role.

Milan Director Paolo Maldini looks on during an AC Milan training session at Milanello on May 18, 2023 in Cairate, Italy.

Nico Schira is reporting the alternatives via youtube. Roberto Baggio is the first name, linked to the role who applied a project to the FIGC before focused on youth development in December of 2011. This project was denied and seen as unrealistic which saw him step away from the FIGC.

Claudio Ranieri has also been linked to the job, and will likely have a similar proposition to Baggio. One that is focused on youth development, and growing the juniors into the game to help rebuild the Azzurri. Gianluigi Buffon has also been in talks for the role. He has worked for the FIGC before coaching with Gattuso, but his plans for the future of the Azzurri is unknown to most.