Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have stepped down as directors at the Italian football federation.
The pair were in charge of negotiations but completely flopped.
They revealed that they spoke to both Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, and after being unsurprisingly rejected by both, they turned to Andrea Pirlo.
Pirlo has not only had a completely underwhelming coaching career, but his deal with a Russian gambling company was called into question and ultimately deemed prohibitive.
Pirlo deal called of by Italian FA president
Pirlo claims the deal is ‘purely commercial and sporting’ and not political, but federation president Giovanni Malagò has rejected the excuse and called off the signing.
As such, Maldini and Leonardo have resigned, as confirmed by Serie A president Ezio Simonelli and Giancarlo Abete, president of the Italian National Amateur League.
Simonelli said: “We learned of Maldini and Leonardo’s resignations on television, and we took note. Surprised? I would say no, it was predictable.
“Maldini had chosen Pirlo, but he won’t be the national team coach. I’m disappointed because I think Maldini was an excellent choice, a valuable person, and I would have appreciated, for the good of all football, his continued involvement.”
Abete added: “We weren’t aware of the Pirlo-Russia affair. We’re not used to certain situations, and Malagò didn’t even mention any names (for what comes next).
“Just 45 minutes ago, we were considering the alternatives proposed by the technical director and the advisor. Now, we have to start from scratch with a serious project.”
Potential replacements for Italy coach and directors
The Italian media are already citing Giorgio Chiellini, Claudio Ranieri and Silvio Baldini as potential replacements for the pair.
Meanwhile, serial winner Antonio Conte and Euro 2020 champion Roberto Mancini remain available as more impressive alternatives to Pirlo.
Pirlo has faced criticism from leading figures in Italy, including the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Pina Picierno.
She commented: “He freely and repeatedly lent his prestige to a normalisation effort for Putin’s regime, participating in initiatives exploited by Kremlin propaganda while Ukraine was being bombed.
“Choosing him is a grave mistake.”
Pirlo then had some perhaps unhelpful support from the Russian ambassador to Italy, Alexei Paramonov.
In an Italy cap, he said: “I do not know him personally but the goals [he] scored that made [him] a star and a legend of world football.
“[Pirlo’s plight is like] thousands of Russian athletes, conductors, musicians, artists, and filmmakers, being a victim of marginalisation by [his] own pseudo-democratic establishment.
“Even if it doesn’t help you, we sincerely and humanly stand in solidarity with you.
“In the context of the current diplomatic crisis, having you as an ambassador is undoubtedly a great honour for any country or organisation.”
Pirlo then received some additional support from his son Nicolo on Instagram.
He wrote: “There are times when disappointment goes beyond a simple choice. Because it calls into question not just a decision, but the way people are judged.
“I know how much you love this job. I know how much you’ve studied, how much you’ve sacrificed, and how much respect you’ve always had for everyone who’s shared your journey. And I know that the values you spoke of aren’t just words; they’re the ones you’ve always lived by.
“For this, I feel enormous bitterness. Not for a bench, which in sports is earned and lost. But for the climate that’s been created around a person who has always let his work speak for itself, without seeking shortcuts or consensus.
“As a son, but also as a young man who dreams of building a future in football, all of this hurts. Because noise seems to matter more than competence, respect, and values.
“Whatever happens, one certainty will never change: I’m proud of the man you are, long before the professional everyone knows. And the values you’ve taught me will always carry more weight than any title, judgment, or controversy.”
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