​Italy’s big surprise comes in the form of Leonardo joining the setup as a special advisor, a development confirmed by FIGC President Giovanni Malagò who revealed that the move came at the suggestion of Paolo Maldini. After weeks of discussions, Maldini ultimately accepted the role of technical director for Italy’s national team project, a position established specifically to inject structure and consistency into the Nazionale.
Malagò had long indicated that Maldini was his first choice to lead the federation’s footballing direction, and the official announcement carried with it an unexpected but welcome twist: Leonardo would be brought in as an advisor. Speaking on TG2 Post, Malagò explained that Maldini had suggested Leonardo’s involvement from the outset, emphasizing that there is substantial work ahead and a challenging path to navigate. He added that he also holds Leonardo in high regard, describing the two as “two sides of the same coin,” and underscoring the strength of their combined expertise.
Leonardo, who will turn 57 this September, has deep and enduring ties to Italian football that stretch back decades. His playing career with AC Milan spanned two significant periods, first from 1997 to 2001 and then a final chapter in 2002–03. His connection to Milan runs deep and is a defining thread in his professional journey within the sport.
During his playing days, Leonardo built a lasting relationship with Milan that continued well beyond his retirement. After hanging up his boots, he stayed on with the Rossoneri in a talent scouting capacity, a role that quickly evolved into technical director duties for the 2008–09 season and eventually coaching responsibilities in 2009–10. His trajectory with Milan demonstrated a capacity to blend talent identification with strategic oversight, laying the groundwork for a broader influence within the club’s football operations.
Leonardo’s career beyond Milan has been marked by versatility and high-profile moves. In December 2010, he made the surprising transition to city rivals Inter, taking on the coaching role there and remaining through the end of the season. The Inter stint added a competitive dimension to his coaching resume and broadened his experience in Serie A’s intense club dynamics. After parting ways with Inter, Leonardo pursued a variety of roles across the football world, including a stint with Antalyaspor as head coach in early 2017, illustrating his willingness to explore diverse football environments and challenges.
Returning to Milan as technical director in the 2018–19 period, Leonardo collaborated closely with Maldini, reinforcing a powerful leadership duo that had already proven effective in shaping Milan’s football strategy. His professional journey also featured two separate spells with Paris Saint-Germain, first from 2011 to 2013 and again from 2019 to 2022, further cementing his status as a global football executive with experience across Europe’s top leagues.
With the addition of Leonardo as an advisor, Italy’s football leadership is signaling a renewed commitment to leveraging the combined strengths of Maldini and Leonardo. Maldini’s vision for a more disciplined and coherent national team program is complemented by Leonardo’s breadth of experience in talent development, club strategy, and top-level coaching. Together, they bring a potent blend of technical acumen, strategic insight, and a proven track record of navigating complex football ecosystems.
As the national team camp takes shape, the emphasis will be on creating a stable and predictable environment for players, coaches, and staff. The technical directorate’s framework will aim to provide continuity across training regimens, tactical identity, and player selection, ensuring that the Nazionale can operate with a clear sense of purpose under Maldini’s leadership. Leonardo’s advisory role adds an additional layer of expertise, offering guidance on how to optimize talent pipelines, adapt to modern football’s evolving tactical demands, and sustain a competitive edge at the international level.
In the broader context of Italian football, the decision to enlist Leonardo alongside Maldini signals a strategic intent to draw on a wealth of on-pitch experience and executive know-how. This pairing promises a holistic approach to national-team development, one that seeks to balance rigorous structure with pragmatic, results-driven leadership. For Italy, the immediate goal is to translate this high-caliber advisory framework into tangible on-field improvements, stronger squad cohesion, and a more consistent performance landscape that can contend with Europe’s finest over the coming years.