Paolo Maldini Leads the Italian National Team Revolution, Officially Appointed as FIGC Technical Director.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has officially appointed AC Milan and Italy national team legend Paolo Maldini as Technical Director, in a major move to rebuild Gli Azzurri's glory after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

This announcement was delivered by FIGC President Giovanni Malagò on Sunday, 12 July 2026. In an official statement, the federation confirmed Maldini has accepted the role, which he will hold until 2028.

"President Giovanni Malagò is delighted to announce that Paolo Maldini has accepted the position of Technical Director," read the official FIGC statement.

This appointment marks one of the most significant decisions made since Malagò was elected as FIGC President last June, succeeding Gabriele Gravina who stepped down following Italy's latest failure to reach the World Cup finals. That disappointment triggered widespread criticism from supporters and political figures alike, deepening the crisis surrounding Italian football.

Maldini enters the role with a reputation as one of the greatest defenders in the history of football. Over his international career, the 58-year-old earned 126 caps for the Italy national side. At club level, he spent his entire professional playing career with AC Milan, lifting seven Serie A titles, before later returning to serve as the club's technical director for four years.

Under FIGC's new structure, Maldini will be assisted by his former AC Milan teammate Leonardo, who has been appointed as an advisor. Both men are expected to lead the core technical reforms for Italian football, spanning from youth development pathways through to the strategic direction of the national team programme.

Maldini's first immediate task will be to support FIGC in appointing a new head coach for the national team. The position became vacant after Gennaro Gattuso's contract was terminated following Italy's World Cup playoff defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina last March - a result that confirmed Gli Azzurri would once again miss out on football's biggest global stage.

For Italy, bringing in Maldini is far more than just installing a legendary figure within the federation. FIGC is counting on his experience, credibility and standing to lay the initial foundation to rebuild the identity of Italian football, and bring an end to the dark spell that has seen the four-time world champions miss three consecutive World Cup tournaments.