Maldini and Leonardo to resign from Italy roles after just 16 days

Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have decided to resign from the FIGC after disagreements over who to choose as the new Italy coach, report Sky Sport Italia , just days after accepting the roles.

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)

The position of technical director for Club Italia had been created by new Federation President Giovanni Malagò, who wanted to give more autonomy and structure to the Nazionale.

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His role was meant to help bring unity to the various youth levels and academies , creating a fresh identity for Italian football.

Maldini and Leonardo ran into Italy problems

EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 01: Paolo Maldini of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and AC MIlan at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 1, 2022 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

However, the problems emerged when first choices Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola both rejected the offers of becoming the new Italy coach.

The third choice was Andrea Pirlo, but that was torpedoed when it emerged he was a global brand ambassador for Russian betting company Fonbet.

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 21: Andrea Pirlo and Paolo Maldini attend Special Teams Legends Onlus Press Conference on May 21, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

This was not only a moral and ethical issue, but a legal one too, as the site and the advertising of gambling is illegal in Italy.

Amid reports Malagò blocked the appointment against the wishes of Maldini and Leonardo, and that there were profound disagreements over who would be offered the bench next, the tension grew.

Sky Sport Italia are now reporting that Maldini and his special advisor Leonardo have decided to resign, and an announcement is expected this evening.

They were only appointed on July 11, after weeks of negotiations on the project and vision for how to revamp Italian football.

Monitor FIGC structural stability — any instability in Italy's national team management could affect upcoming match preparation and squad decisions.