Malagò Sets One-Week Deadline for Italy Technical Director Appointment Amid Coaching Search

FolioPitch.com – 01 July 2026 | In a decisive move to stabilize Italian football, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò has announced that the Malago New Italy technical director over course of a week will be appointed, setting the stage for the subsequent selection of a new Azzurri coach. Speaking at a press conference following his first FIGC summit in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Malagò emphasized that the technical director role is a prerequisite before any coaching discussions can begin.

The urgency stems from Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which triggered the resignations of former coach Gennaro Gattuso, team manager Gigi Buffon, and federation president Gabriele Gravina. With a new FIGC chief now in place, the appointment of a technical director is seen as the critical first step to rebuilding the national team’s leadership structure. Malagò assured reporters that the Malago New Italy technical director over course of a week will be finalized, allowing the federation to move forward with coach selection.

“I have not spoken to, met, or contacted any coaches so far,” Malagò stated. “I will only do so once we have ticked the box of the technical director, so this choice will be made together with the Club Italia leadership.”

Among the top candidates for the technical director role is Milan legend Paolo Maldini, though sources suggest he is hesitant. Other names have emerged, but Malagò remains tight-lipped. “Italians want someone who has history and knowledge of the sport, who can share the choice of coach with the President. I am working on it very hard,” he added. “I cannot say if we are close or not. I read many times, but I cannot confirm or deny anything.”

The timeline for the Malago New Italy technical director over course of a week means that by next week, the federation will have a key figure in place to collaborate on the coaching decision. The leading contenders for the coaching role are Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini, with reports highlighting a significant disparity in salary demands. However, Malagò downplayed the financial hurdle, stating, “That is not necessarily an issue.”

The technical director will be responsible for overseeing the national team’s technical strategy, including youth development and the senior squad’s tactical direction. This role has been vacant since the previous regime collapsed, and its swift appointment is seen as vital to restoring credibility and direction. The Malago New Italy technical director over course of a week announcement is expected to bring clarity to a federation that has been in turmoil for months.

Italian fans and pundits have been eagerly awaiting news on both the technical director and the coach. The one-week deadline set by Malagò suggests that the FIGC is intent on moving quickly to prepare for upcoming international fixtures, including friendlies and the qualification campaign for Euro 2028. The selection of the technical director will be a critical juncture, as this person will have a major say in shaping the future of the Azzurri.

As the week unfolds, all eyes will be on the FIGC headquarters in Rome. With the Malago New Italy technical director over course of a week imminent, the next chapter of Italian football is about to be written. The hope is that this new leadership will bring stability and success back to a nation that has historically been a powerhouse in world football.