Maldini insists ‘there wouldn’t have been legal issues’ if Italy really wanted Pirlo

Paolo Maldini, the former Italy national team technical director, has stated that there would not have been any legal issues if Italy had truly wanted to appoint Andrea Pirlo as the next head coach of the national team. Maldini, who only held the position for 17 days, revealed in an interview with Corriere della Sera that the decision to block Pirlo's appointment was made by FIGC President Giovanni Malagò.

Maldini believes that Pirlo's ties to the Russian betting company Fonbet, which raised ethical concerns, caused public opposition to his candidacy. However, Maldini asserts that if Italy had genuinely desired to appoint Pirlo, there would not have been any legal obstacles. He claims that Malagò's decision was ultimately the reason for Pirlo not being appointed as the Italy head coach.