Gianfranco Zola appointed coordinator of Italy's national youth football program

Former Italy striker Gianfranco Zola has been named coordinator of the national youth sector by FIGC president Giovanni Malagò. Zola will oversee the development of young Italian talent, aiming to create a structured network between clubs and institutions and to improve technical quality in the youth pipeline.

The reform includes financial incentives for clubs that field home‑grown players, a “cash‑back” system that multiplies funding based on minutes played by academy graduates, and stricter limits on loaned players – capped at eight per club from Serie A, Serie B or foreign leagues. The plan also sets minimum quotas for youth‑trained players in squad lists, with gradual increases over the coming seasons. Zola’s appointment is presented as a key step in revitalising Italy’s football academy system and preventing talent from being lost in the transition to professional ranks.