Maldini accepts role as Italy's new technical director with Leonardo as advisor
ESPN Soccer • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 11, 2026, 7:20 PM
Last updated Jul 11, 2026
Paolo Maldini has been appointed the new technical director of Italy's national soccer team. He will collaborate with Leonardo, his former teammate, in an advisory role. The Italian Football Federation created this position as part of its efforts to rebuild after Italy's failure to qualify for three consecutive World Cups. Both Maldini and Leonardo will begin by searching for a new head coach to lead Italy into the next competitive cycle, continuing the federation's project aimed at revitalizing the national team.
- •Maldini signs a four-year contract with the FIGC.
- •The role includes overseeing the entire national-team pathway.
- •Leonardo joins Maldini in an advisory capacity.
- •The federation aims to identify a new head coach soon.
- •Italy has not qualified for three consecutive World Cups.
- 9:29 PMESPN Soccer — Maldini, Leonardo hired for Italy team rebuild
- 8:20 PMYahoo Sports — Italy icon Maldini gets key role with Italian FA
- 7:20 PMYahoo Sports — Maldini to become new Italy technical director; joined by Leonardo as advisor
"Italian football icon Paolo Maldini has been appointed technical director of the national football federation (FIGC) looking to rebuild after Italy's failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup."Maldini has always been my target," said newly-appointed FIGC president Giovanni Malago.
"The Italian football federation took another step Saturday toward a rebuild of their national team by hiring Paolo Maldini as technical director and former Brazil international and 1994 World Cup winner Leonardo as advisor.
"Paolo Maldini has agreed to become the Italian federation’s new technical director, taking on a role created specifically for him as the FIGC begins the task of rebuilding the national team.Accordin...
Sources
External links- ESPN SoccerJul 11, 2026, 9:29 PMMaldini, Leonardo hired for Italy team rebuild
The Italian football federation took another step Saturday toward a rebuild of their national team by hiring Paolo Maldini as technical director and former Brazil international and 1994 World Cup winner Leonardo as advisor.
- Yahoo SportsJul 11, 2026, 8:20 PMItaly icon Maldini gets key role with Italian FA
Italian football icon Paolo Maldini has been appointed technical director of the national football federation (FIGC) looking to rebuild after Italy's failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup."Maldini has always been my target," said newly-appointed FIGC president Giovanni Malago.
- Yahoo SportsJul 11, 2026, 7:20 PMMaldini to become new Italy technical director; joined by Leonardo as advisor
Paolo Maldini has agreed to become the Italian federation’s new technical director, taking on a role created specifically for him as the FIGC begins the task of rebuilding the national team.Accordin...
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