The Federation chief had said last week when presenting new coach Mancini and technical director Ranieri that there would be a third figure to complete the revamp of the Nazionale.
It had been immediately suggested that Zola was an ideal candidate, and it is now confirmed that the former Chelsea, Parma and Cagliari star will be given a role in the Azzurri academies.
Malagò adds Zola to Italy camp
“Ranieri and I strongly wanted Zola, agreeing the choice with the Lega Pro President Matteo Marani, so he will continue to be the vice-president of the Lega Pro too,” Malagò told news agency ANSA.
“Zola’s charisma, his preparation, and the efforts to help young players that were clear over these years with the Lega Pro represent the best foundations on which to build our future.”
It is confirmed that Zola will be the “co-ordinator of the youth activity” including academies all the way up to the Under-21 side.
Ranieri had already noted in his press conference that he wanted to look into why youth academies have become so expensive for families, limiting the opportunities for players who could in the past have gone further in their careers.
Zola has been the vice president of the Lega Pro (Italy’s third division) since February 2023.
He had a brief coaching career at West Ham United, Watford, Cagliari, Al-Arabi and Birmingham City, most recently on the staff of Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea in the 2018-19 campaign.