Giovanni Malagò and the Future of Italian National Team Coach: Between Pirlo
July 28, 2026 · PerúItalia
In an interview, Giovanni Malagò discussed the possibility of a new coach for the Italian national team, highlighting the importance of cooperation in choosing the right person to lead the squad.
Giovanni Malagò and the Future of Italian National Team Coach: Between Pirlo
According to Tuttomercatoweb.
Background
Giovanni Malagò, FIGC president, attempted to involve Maldini and Leonardo in the coach selection process, indicating that they may have an important role in the development of the Italian national team. With their experience in the world of football, it is hoped that the decisions taken can take the Italian national team to a higher level, especially ahead of FIFA 2026.
Why this is important
The future of the Italian national team coach is in the spotlight, especially with big names such as Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo being proposed. Giovanni Malagò emphasized the importance of collaboration in choosing the right coach to lead the team to success in the 2026 FIFA world. The involvement of Paolo Maldini and Leonardo in this discussion shows that the FIGC is committed to choosing a figure who is not only experienced, but also has a clear vision.
Main Points
- Giovanni Malagò and the Future of Italian National Team Coach: Between Pirlo.
- In an interview, Giovanni Malagò discussed the possibility of a new coach for the Italian national team, highlighting the importance of cooperation in choosing the right person to lead the squad.
- Malagò e la panchina della Nazionale. Tra Pirlo e Mancini apre a una terza via.
Giovanni Malagò, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), recently gave an interview to the media regarding the future of the Italian national team coach. In the interview, Malagò emphasized the importance of collaboration in determining who will occupy the national team coaching chair, indicating that not only Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo are the main candidates.
"I want to emphasize one thing. I spent two weeks to get Paolo Maldini and Leonardo on the team. They are very serious individuals and have an interest in this project, so they wanted to understand in depth what I envisioned, how the organization is structured, as well as who is involved in the technical sector," said Malagò.
He also added that discussions focused more on technical aspects rather than financial aspects, which are often the main problems in football. "We have put aside financial issues as a priority, to emphasize the quality and seriousness of our discussions," he continued.
Malagò detailed that the decision to choose a coach did not come from just one party, but was the result of discussions involving many elements in the organization, including the team manager and other related parties. "To make changes, we need to understand the context. I myself am trying to learn and understand what the current situation is, and if I have different ideas, I will convey them to the federation council," he added.
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Furthermore, Malagò emphasized that there was no debate regarding the coach to be chosen, and the term "collaboration" should be understood as a full agreement between all parties involved. "We are in the process of talking to potential coaches, but I cannot reveal the details," he said.
Malagò also touched on the possibility of other names that could be coaching candidates, apart from Mancini and Pirlo. "There are likely other names that come up, but we have to make sure that they are available and in line with our budget expectations," he explained.
He stressed that developing Italian talent was also a key focus, and these discussions made up 60-70% of the conversations he had with Maldini and Leonardo. Malagò expressed his ambition to improve the quality of Italian football and believes that the right policies are needed to achieve this goal.
"We must try to ensure that Italian players can perform as well as possible and get the recognition they deserve. Without a change in culture and mentality, the expected results will not be achieved," concluded Malagò firmly.
What happened next
A decision regarding the Italian national team coach is expected to be made soon after in-depth discussions between Giovanni Malagò, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo. By focusing on technical aspects, FIGC is trying to find a coach who can bring the Italian national team back to winning ways. Meanwhile, attention will remain focused on how the team's organizational structure will be formed to support preparations for the upcoming competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Giovanni Malagò say about the future of the Italian national team coach?
Giovanni Malagò emphasized the importance of collaboration in determining the Italian national team coach and said that not only Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo were the main candidates.
Who was involved in the discussion regarding the selection of the Italian national team coach?
The coach selection discussion involved many elements within the organization, including the team manager, Paolo Maldini, and Leonardo.
Why does Giovanni Malagò emphasize collaboration in the selection of coaches?
Malagò emphasizes collaboration to ensure that the decision to select a coach does not come from just one party, but is the result of in-depth discussions.
What is the main focus in the coach selection discussion according to Malagò?
The main focus in the discussion is technical aspects, not financial, to emphasize the quality and seriousness of the discussion.
What does Malagò want to achieve in the Italian national team coaching project?
Malagò wants to understand in depth the organizational structure and technical aspects involved in the Italian national team coaching project.