Maldini targets Thiago Motta as leading candidate for Italy job after Pirlo ruled out

Paolo Maldini is in active talks with Thiago Motta over becoming the next Italy head coach, after Andrea Pirlo’s candidacy collapsed and a series of high-profile names rejected the role.

The FIGC technical director has turned to Motta as the search intensifies for a successor to lead the Azzurri, with Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola having already declined the opportunity to take charge of the national team.

Pirlo, initially seen as a serious contender, is no longer under consideration following controversy surrounding his role as an ambassador for a brand linked to a Russian betting website, which led to his candidacy being dropped.

Motta emerges from long list of contenders

A number of other coaches have been considered during the process, including Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini, Raffaele Palladino and Stefano Pioli. The name of former Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli has also featured among those discussed.

However, Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the focus has now shifted decisively towards Motta, with negotiations currently under way between Maldini and the Italian-Brazilian coach.

Motta is seen as a figure who could satisfy multiple strands of influence within Italian football. He is viewed as the man capable of delivering the “new and different” footballing approach sought by Maldini and Leonardo, while at the same time meeting FIGC president Giovanni Malago’s demand for a candidate with more experience than Pirlo.

International pedigree and Serie A roots

Motta, who turns 44 next month, represented Italy at international level during his playing career. He first arrived in Serie A with Genoa in 2008, impressing sufficiently to earn a move to Inter Milan.

In January 2012 he joined Paris Saint-Germain, adding further high-level experience in one of Europe’s leading leagues to his CV before moving into coaching.

Coaching career marked by mixed results

Motta’s managerial career has produced varied outcomes. His early stints in charge of Genoa and Spezia were marked by inconsistency, but he significantly enhanced his reputation during two seasons with Bologna.

There, he left what has been widely regarded as a clear and positive mark, guiding Bologna to qualification for the UEFA Champions League and earning praise for the team’s style of play and results.

That success led to Motta taking over at Juventus in the summer of 2024. His time in Turin, however, was cut short. Despite recording 18 wins, 16 draws and eight defeats, he was dismissed in March 2025.

Maldini now appears prepared to hand Motta the chance to revive his coaching career on the international stage, as Italy look for a new direction after a protracted and at times turbulent search for a head coach.