FIGC narrows Italy coach race as Malago eyes Maldini and Conte

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) under president Giovanni Malago is close to naming a new head coach for the national team after three consecutive World Cup failures. Two leading candidates are former Italy managers Antonio Conte, recently separated from Napoli, and Roberto Mancini, with clubs and Serie A reportedly pushing for a lower‑cost option. Financial terms are a key factor: Mancini is seen as a €2‑2.5 million per‑year prospect, while Conte’s salary could be higher.

Malago also plans to appoint a technical director to oversee the national team project. Former Milan captain Paolo Maldini is the frontrunner for that role, with a meeting scheduled to discuss his potential appointment. Separately, former player Lele Oriali has been confirmed as team manager.

In a recent press conference, Malago addressed Italy’s difficulty in qualifying for the World Cup, noting the expanded 48‑team format and the strong performance of African nations. He emphasized that simply qualifying would already be an achievement given the current circumstances.