Why is Maldini strongly opposed to Conte and Mancini?

Paolo Maldini and Leonardo objected to Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte taking over Italy, according to reports from Gazzetta dello Sport. Their two-week spell in technical control ended on Monday with a joint resignation after the federation blocked Andrea Pirlo.

Why Mancini was questioned

The paper says Maldini and Leonardo told FIGC president Gabriele Gravina that appointing Mancini would create the same doubts as Pirlo. Their concern centred on Mancini’s 2023 exit, when he resigned during Euro 2024 qualifying and took the Saudi Arabia job a few weeks later.

Conte also raised concerns

Conte was viewed as a risk for a different reason. Maldini and Leonardo pointed to his habit of changing clubs about every two years, and argued that was a problem with the 2030 World Cup still four years away.

FIGC later named Mancini as Italy’s new head coach, but the decision has also carried consequences for the federation. Gravina had ruled out Pirlo amid political backlash over the former midfielder’s role as a brand ambassador for a Russian betting company, while Maldini and Leonardo saw the process as an attempt to weaken their say and walked away.