Maldini, Leonardo quit Italian federation after coaching dispute

Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have resigned from the Italian Football Federation after their preferred candidates for the Italy head coach role were repeatedly rejected.

According to Sky Sport Italia, the pair stepped down after the federation ruled out former midfielder Andrea Pirlo, whose candidacy reportedly became complicated by concerns over a sponsorship deal involving Russian betting company Fonbet. Earlier, Maldini had also unsuccessfully pursued Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola for the position.

Leonardo later proposed Thiago Motta as an alternative, but that suggestion was also rejected. Frustrated by what they viewed as a lack of support from the federation, Maldini and Leonardo chose to resign just over two weeks after taking up their respective roles.

Their departures leave the Italian Football Federation restarting its search for a new national team head coach.