Andrea Pirlo emerges as Maldini’s choice for Italy coach

Paolo Maldini has placed a familiar name at the top of Italy’s shortlist: Andrea Pirlo.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Azzurri’s technical director, alongside his advisor Leonardo, has identified the former midfield maestro as the ideal candidate to become the next Italy coach. After months of noise around Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini, the conversation inside the federation has shifted decisively toward Pirlo.

The next move belongs to FIGC President Giovanni Malagò. The pink paper reports that Malagò is expected to meet Pirlo shortly, potentially as early as today, to hear directly about his ideas, his tactical vision and how he would reshape the national team. Only after that conversation will Malagò give formal approval to Maldini’s preferred choice.

Pirlo, currently in charge of United FC in the UAE Pro League, has already sampled life on the touchline at the highest level in Italy. He previously coached Juventus and Sampdoria, experiences that, while mixed in results, sharpened his understanding of the pressures and demands that come with elite benches.

His name surged to the front of the race last week. For a long stretch, the debate revolved around Conte’s intensity and Mancini’s pedigree, with both still considered in contention. Malagò is understood to hold Mancini in high regard, a factor that keeps the former Italy boss in the frame.

Yet the key technical call lies with Maldini. The former Milan and Azzurri captain is driving the sporting vision for the national side and sees Pirlo as the figurehead for a new cycle: a coach who understands Coverciano from the inside, who has lived every pressure point of the blue shirt, and who carries the authority of a world champion.

Before any announcement, though, the decisive conversation awaits. Malagò wants to look Pirlo in the eye, test his project, and decide whether the man who once dictated Italy’s rhythm with the ball at his feet is ready to do the same from the dugout.