Maldini Advocates for Pirlo as Next Italy Coach

Paolo Maldini has made his choice. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Italy’s technical director has identified Andrea Pirlo as the ideal man to take charge of the Azzurri, and FIGC President Giovanni Malagò is now preparing to sit down with the former midfield maestro.

Maldini, working closely with his advisor Leonardo, has moved decisively in favour of his old Milan teammate. Pirlo, currently coaching United FC in the UAE Pro League, has emerged as the leading candidate after months of noise around the more familiar names of Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini.

The process is clear. Maldini and Leonardo have made their technical call, but the appointment still needs Malagò’s approval. The Gazzetta report states that Malagò is expected to meet Pirlo shortly, potentially as early as today, to hear first-hand about his ideas, his tactical vision, and how he intends to shape the next chapter for the national team.

Pirlo’s coaching résumé remains relatively short but high profile. He has already sat on the bench at Juventus and Sampdoria, and his reputation as one of the game’s great thinkers continues to carry weight in Italian football circles. That aura has helped him move to the front of the queue for the Azzurri job.

The race is not officially over. Conte and Mancini are still in contention, with Mancini in particular reportedly appreciated by Malagò. The FIGC chief’s admiration keeps the door open, yet the sporting side of the decision belongs to Maldini, whose backing for Pirlo is described as firm.

Before he signs off on Maldini’s preferred option, Malagò wants to look Pirlo in the eye and test the depth of his project. If the conversation matches the conviction coming from Coverciano, Italy could soon be stepping into a new era under one of its most elegant former playmakers.