Maldini, Leonardo quit FIGC after Pirlo is ruled out
The Pirlo rejection was tied to his Fonbet ambassador contract, adding political pressure after Italy missed three straight World Cups.
Paolo Maldini and Leonardo resigned as technical director and adviser to the Italian Football Federation just 10 days after joining, after Andrea Pirlo was ruled out of the race to coach Italy. According to reports cited by ANTARA, they had backed only Pirlo to replace Gennaro Gattuso. FIGC did not pursue that candidacy amid controversy over Pirlo's commercial agreement with Russian betting company Fonbet. In an Instagram post, Pirlo said he was told he was no longer a candidate. He defended the deal as a commercial and sporting arrangement, with no political content. Italy had previously failed to qualify for three straight World Cups, making the search for a new coach a major focus. Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte are now also being discussed.