​After weeks of speculation and discussions, Paolo Maldini has finally taken on the role of Italy’s technical director, bringing to a close the search for someone to steer the national team’s technical direction. The announcement confirmed that Maldini will be entrusted with the task of overseeing the Azzurri, a decision hailed as a significant milestone for Italian football. Alessandro Costacurta, his former teammate at both Milan and the national squad, spoke to Sky Sport Italia to share his enthusiasm for the appointment. He described Maldini as one of the most insightful and genuine figures in the game, praising the choice as a major step forward for Italian football.
Giovanni Malagò, president of the FIGC, also reiterated that Maldini had always been his top pick for the position, emphasizing that the technical director’s role includes selecting the national team’s next coach. Costacurta echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Maldini’s appointment may even outweigh the impact of naming a new head coach. “Malagò made the best possible choice. In fact, picking Maldini is perhaps more important than choosing the new coach,” Costacurta stated, underscoring the strategic value of Maldini’s experience and leadership.
In a notable development, Brazilian football figure Leonardo was introduced as a consultant, reuniting him with Maldini after their time together at Milan. Costacurta highlighted the complementary temperaments of the two men. He described Leonardo as more of a dreamer and visionary, while Maldini is characterized as practical, guided by knowledge and instinct. “They have different characteristics,” Costacurta noted, but he emphasized that the real strength lies in their ability to listen to one another and to merge their ideas. Despite their divergent approaches, Maldini and Leonardo are portrayed as a collaborative pair capable of finding common ground and delivering unified solutions.
Leonardo’s career in Italy is extensive. At Milan, he has worn many hats—player, talent scout, coach, and technical director—before taking on a stint as coach of rivals Inter. More recently, he has served as an assistant technical director at Paris Saint-Germain, adding a broader international perspective to his resume. The pairing with Maldini, therefore, brings together a rare blend of practical know-how and aspirational vision, a combination that Costacurta believes can benefit the national team as it prepares for future challenges.
As Maldini steps into the role of technical director, the emphasis will be on shaping the long-term strategy for Italy’s national team, including talent development pathways, scouting networks, and the selection process for future coaches. The prospect of Maldini guiding this comprehensive program, backed by Leonardo’s consultancy and Costacurta’s supportive assessment, generates optimism about Italy’s prospects on the global stage. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Maldini’s leadership will influence the selection of the next Italy boss, how the two consultative voices will interact, and how their combined approach will translate into results on the pitch.