Why Did Paolo Maldini, Leonardo Resign From Italian Football Federation? Everything You Need To Know About Andrea Pirlo Controversy

0

Nothing seems to be going well in Italian football. After Andrea Pirlo’s deal collapsed, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have reportedly stepped down from their roles in the Italian ‌Football Federation (FIGC). As the nation was unable to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, the duo took over the charge, aiming for a complete overhaul of the national team, as head coach Gennaro Gattuso also resigned. Maldini and Leonardo had been searching for the best candidate for the managerial position. Prominent names like Pep Guardiola and Pirlo were linked to the job, but as of now, both coaches have looked away.

Paolo Maldini resigns from Italian Football Federation

Maldini ​was appointed technical director of the ​FIGC on July 11 to help rebuild the national side after they failed to ​qualify for a third successive ​World Cup. He stepped down just 16 days later ‌alongside ⁠Leonardo, the former Brazil international who had been brought in as his adviser.

The decision to step down ​comes ​shortly after ⁠former Italy international Andrea Pirlo said he was ​no longer a candidate to ​coach ⁠the Italian national side. His prospective appointment faced fierce opposition over his commercial ⁠ties ​to a Russian ​betting company.

What did Andrea Pirlo say about Italy job?

Some Italian politicians and members of the FIGC reportedly raised questions over Pirlo’s tie with Russian bookmaker Fonbet during the war situation in Ukraine.

Defending his endorsement deal, the former Italian midfielder said, “In the last few days I have witnessed with great bitterness the debate that has developed around my name and the possibility of taking over the role of head coach of the Italian national team.”

“During my career, first as a football player and now as a coach, I have always carried out my activity in full respect for the laws of the countries I worked in and the contracts I signed,” Pirlo continued.

“To attribute a political meaning to such a collaboration means to attribute convictions that I have never expressed and that do not belong to me,” he added.

Now that Pirlo is out of contention, it’s yet to be seen who would take over the helm of Italian men’s football.