Following Italy’s failure to qualify for the last three World Cup editions, it was high time for the management of the national team to opt for big changes in managerial and technical roles too.
The recent appointments of both Paolo Maldini and Leonardo by the new federation president, Giovanni Malago, represent a remarkable shift from the past, as both Maldini and Leonardo have the experience and the intelligence needed to succeed in their roles.
The rebuilding project launched by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) appears to be even more ambitious than expected, knowing that the decisions taken until now can only confirm that the objective is to reach long-term success and not just another momentary upgrade compared to the past.
What further confirms this ambition for achieving long-term success is the serious thinking about appointing a world-class experienced head coach like Pep Guardiola.
Why Maldini and Leonardo Are Leading Italy's Rebuild
Having Maldini as a technical director and president of the national team, with Leondardo being the Chief Advisor, means that both figures will play a crucial role in reshaping the future of the Italian national team.
This unprecedented position of Maldini will surely help both him and Leonardo in having the freedom needed to make the necessary changes whether in terms of the coaching staff or in relation with the Italian players in general.
The mission is not too strange for the two former AC Milan players, given that Maldini was central to the rebuilding of Milan years ago, constructing a very competitive squad and helping them return to playing in the UEFA Champions League after long years of absence and winning the Serie A title too.
Furthermore, Leonardo's experience in management within several elite teams like Paris Saint-Germain and Milan can only help in taking the right decisions for the Azzurri going forward.
The Search for Italy's Next Head Coach
According to the most recent reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, both Maldini and Leonardo have been involved in looking for Italy’s next head coach, with all of Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini being on the radar.
That said, the name of Pep Guardiola remains the favourite for now as such an appointment would help in making a more considerable reconstruction both from a tactical and a cultural perspective instead of delivering short-term results only.
Why Guardiola Fits Italy's Long-Term Vision
Not many head coaches have been more successful in terms of footballing evolution than Guardiola.
His remarkable successes at all of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City can only prove that he is one of the most talented managers of his generation.
Guardiola succeeded in imposing an obvious identity to all of the teams he coached while winning trophies, something that not all winner something not every successful manager has been able to achieve.
Creating long-term footballing identities and achieving positive results established Guardiola as a unique head coach whose work on club level remains fascinating and complicated to repeat.
Although his footballing philosophy is different to Italy’s DNA and usual playing style, Guardiola has the ability, maturity, and the intelligence needed to help build a powerful Italian side that would return to competing for the continental and international titles as a long-term objective.
How Guardiola's Italian Experience Could Help
The fact that Guardiola is no stranger to Italy given that he played for Brescia and Roma would certainly help him, if he accepts the job and have a clearer vision about his project since he already knows the Italian footballing culture, ideas, and playing style very well.
This courageous and revolutionary decision of appointing Guardiola to lead the team would represent a remarkable break from tradition, as Italy have been used to appointing traditional Italian coaches throughout the last years.
The federation has been showing a lot of willingness to change things to the better by making radical changes on all levels, following the arrival of Giovanni Malago at the head of the federation.
Such decisions can only help Italy achieve better results on the long-term, especially following the appointment of trustworthy and competent figures like Maldini and Leonardo to lead the national team.
The potential appointment of Guardiola is actually being discussed and the deal might become more serious in the coming days.
But whether the deal goes through or not, thinking about making such decisions represents a positive sign from the Italian federation and can only confirm that the future is looking more promising than the recent past for the Azzurri.