Both Maldini and his adviser, Leonardo, have quit just 16 days after the FIGC made the official announcement of their appointment.
It was decided on Sunday that talks with Andrea Pirlo, Maldini and Leonardo’s pick to be Italy’s head coach, would not proceed due to concerns over his links to a Russian gambling firm.
Both figures had recently taken on roles as part of an overhaul of the national team management. Maldini was appointed on 11 July as technical director of the Italian federation, to help to rebuild the national side after they failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup finals. But he has stepped down just 16 days later alongside Leonardo, the former Brazil international who had been brought in as his adviser.
Pirlo had been Maldini’s primary choice for the job after Pep Guardiola rejected the federation’s initial approach. Several other high-profile managers are now being linked with the vacancy since Gennaro Gattuso’s departure, including Roberto Mancini, Thiago Motta and Antonio Conte.
