Ranieri appointed to lead Italian federation as Maldini quits after just 16 days

Claudio Ranieri has been named as the new technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) after Paolo Maldini resigned from the post just over two weeks into the job.

Maldini, who was only appointed on 11 July, stepped down on 27 July, with FIGC officials moving quickly to hand the role to veteran coach Ranieri.

His departure came amid dramatic developments around the Italy national team set-up, as the FIGC decided to bring Roberto Mancini back as head coach of the Azzurri.

Mancini returns to the Italy job he left in August 2023 to take charge of Saudi Arabia, and his reappointment followed late turbulence over the potential hiring of Andrea Pirlo.

Maldini walks away after Pirlo setback

Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia reported that Maldini tendered his resignation after attempts to appoint Pirlo as Italy coach collapsed.

Maldini informed FIGC president Giovanni Malago of his decision to leave his position, ending a brief spell that lasted just 16 days.

Pirlo’s candidacy for the Italy job faded in the final hours before a decision was expected, after he signed a sponsorship agreement with a Russian betting company.

The former midfielder revealed on Monday morning that he had been ruled out of contention, writing on his Instagram account: “علمت الليلة الماضية انني لم اعد ضمن المرشحين لتدريب المنتخب الايطالي” (“I found out last night that I was no longer among the candidates to coach the Italy national team.”)

With Pirlo no longer an option, the FIGC moved back towards Mancini, paving the way for Maldini’s exit and Ranieri’s swift appointment to the federation role.

Mancini back at the helm of the Azzurri

Malago told members of the FIGC federal council that Mancini would be returning as Italy’s head coach.

Mancini previously led the national team between 2018 and 2023, overseeing 58 matches in which Italy won 38, drew 12 and lost eight.

During that spell he guided the Azzurri to victory at Euro 2020, but the team then failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

After leaving the Italy job in August 2023, the 61-year-old took over as coach of Saudi Arabia. He managed the national side for 18 games, winning seven, drawing six and losing six, before departing in October 2024.

Mancini then moved into club football with Al Sadd in November 2025, but his tenure in Qatar ended last month.

Ranieri steps into federation role

While the FIGC has confirmed Ranieri’s appointment, it has not released further details about the specific scope of his responsibilities within the federation structure.

Ranieri’s arrival fills the void left by Maldini’s abrupt resignation at a time of significant upheaval at the top of Italian football, with both the federation’s technical leadership and the national team bench changing hands within the space of a few days.

The reshuffle marks a rapid and unexpected turn of events for the FIGC, which must now look to Ranieri and Mancini to stabilise the organisation and the national side after a period of uncertainty over Pirlo’s proposed appointment and Maldini’s short-lived tenure.