Chaos after Maldini's exit: can Mancini restore order?

Leonardo and Paolo Maldini, appointed to run Italian football from the youth system to the senior side, quit after just 16 days, leaving Italy without a manager and a technical director in turmoil. Their brief tenure, lasting less than a month, ended on a Tuesday with both men walking away from their jobs at the FIGC.

The pair, both former AC Milan legends, had arrived together from the Rossoneri and were expected to bring stability. Their departure was captured in a photo credited to [Getty Images] and later tagged as [Images] and Images] on social media, underscoring the visual impact of the chaos.

After the initial shock, they revealed that they had first approached Pep Guardiola, hoping the former Manchester City boss would accept a lucrative salary and full freedom to reshape Italian football. Pep turned them down, opting to continue his planned time away from the sport.

They then turned to Carlo Ancelotti, but he was not interested. Carlo Ancelotti, who had overseen Brazil's disappointing last‑16 exit at the World Cup, quickly dismissed the approach, leaving the duo without a high‑profile candidate.

Mancini returns as Italy’s saviour amid World Cup fallout

The next name on their list was Andrea Pirlo. Andrea was ruled out by the FIGC hierarchy after public outcry over his promotion of a Russian betting company and a controversial visit to Moscow following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Pirlo expressed "great bitterness" at the decision, and his modest managerial record – sacked after stints at Juventus, Fatih Karagümrük, Sampdoria and a season with Dubai United – was widely debated.

“It was a calm and consensual decision to go our separate ways,” Giovanni Malago said of the exit, adding, "I needed someone who could share my vision of who would be the Italy coach. This shared vision on Mancini was not present with Maldini. Maldini and Leo were gentlemen, as always, but also clear and honest on their views. So was I." The quote highlighted the friction between the former players and the federation.

Serie A chairman admits Italy chose Conte, yet Mancini gets the job

Roberto Mancini was then appointed as Italy’s manager, marking his return after a brief spell in Saudi Arabia. Roberto previously led Italy to Euro 2020 glory but was also in charge when the side failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, a disappointment that still lingers.

Italian football may no longer be in a leadership vacuum, but the future remains deeply uncertain. The Italian FA (FA) and FIGC now face the task of rebuilding trust and delivering results, with many questioning whether Mancini can bring the calm that has so far eluded the nation.