​Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have been designated as the new technical leaders of Italy’s national team setup, with reports on Sunday suggesting that Pep Guardiola has again emerged as a potential option for the vacant head coach role under the fresh leadership. The FIGC recently announced Maldini’s appointment as the federation’s technical director, alongside his role as President of Club Italia, on a four-year contract that will carry him through the end of the 2030 World Cup cycle. He will be supported by his former Milan teammate, the ex-Rossoneri star and PSG director Leonardo, who will serve as an advisor.
Maldini’s four-year plan comes with unprecedented authority in his new position, and he is expected to instigate wide-ranging reforms in the national team structure as well as the development of the youth system. However, the primary item on his agenda is the selection of a new head coach.
In Naples, May 11, 2026, Antonio Conte was the head coach of Napoli for a Serie A clash with Bologna at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Conte has enjoyed backing from the Serie A clubs, while Roberto Mancini maintains a long-standing relationship with FIGC President Giovanni Malagò. The pairing of Malagò and Mancini has been well documented, with photographs circulating showing Malago alongside Mancini.
Both Conte and Mancini have previously held the head coach role, bringing extensive managerial experience but also facing their own share of criticisms. There is concern that Conte’s tactical fit might not be ideal, and Mancini’s decision to leave Italy to join Saudi Arabia in 2023 remains a sour note for some observers. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, neither Conte nor Mancini sits at the top of Maldini and Leonardo’s list. Guardiola’s name has resurfaced, and the pink paper reports that the former Manchester City and Barcelona manager is no longer considered a mere “fantasy” option.
One major hurdle with Guardiola is his salary. La Gazzetta dello Sport notes that his gross pay was close to €25 million in the 2025-26 season at Manchester City. While the Serie A clubs are expected to contribute toward the head coach’s salary to attract a top-level talent, they would still struggle to reach a sum nearing Guardiola’s previous earnings at The Etihad. Nonetheless, there remains a glimmer of hope, contingent on ongoing discussions among the key figures shaping Italy’s football project. The path forward will depend on how these talks unfold and what compromises can be reached to secure a high-caliber coach for the national team.