Maldini and Leonardo Resign From Italy National Team: Conte or Mancini Next?

Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have resigned from their positions with the Italian national football team after 16 days in the role, according to reports from Sky Sport and ANSA. The abrupt departure leaves the Azzurri without leadership and prompts a return to shortlist candidates Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini, with Malagò reportedly favoring both options.

Maldini and Leonardo Resign After 16-Day Tenure

The tenure of Paolo Maldini and Leonardo ended, just 16 days after their appointment. Sky Sport reports that the duo effectively quit the project, while ANSA describes the situation as chaos within the national team setup.

La Repubblica characterized the brief period as 16 days of confusion, stating that the project for the national team had become obscure. The rapid collapse of the leadership structure follows a period of instability in the search for a permanent technical direction for the squad.

Conte and Mancini Emerge as Primary Candidates

Following the resignations, the Italian Football Federation is shifting its focus back to established managers. Corriere della Sera reports that the new head coach will be Conte or Mancini.

According to the same report, Malagò is specifically targeting these two figures. Both Conte and Mancini have previous high-level experience with the Italian side, making them the primary targets to resolve the current leadership vacuum.

Reaction to the Leadership Collapse

The instability surrounding the appointment has drawn public criticism from figures associated with the sport. The son of Pirlo issued a critique regarding the priorities of the federation’s decision-making process.

Il rumore sembra contare più della competenza, del rispetto e dei valori

Il Fatto Quotidiano

The statement, translated as the noise seems to count more than competence, respect and values, suggests a disconnect between the federation’s public image and the professional requirements of managing the national team.

Comparison of Reporting on the Vacancy

Italian media outlets have framed the 16-day failure with varying degrees of severity. While Sky Sport and ANSA focus on the immediate act of the duo slamming the door on the project, La Repubblica emphasizes the lack of a clear vision, describing the entire endeavor as obscure from the start.

Corriere della Sera provides the most concrete path forward by naming Conte and Mancini as the specific targets of Malagò, contrasting the current chaos with a return to known, experienced coaching profiles.