Giovanni Malagò is currently in the lead for the FIGC presidency, and there’s a possibility that Gianfranco Zola or Paolo Maldini might be brought into the new leadership of the Italian football association once a president is appointed.
Malagò and Giancarlo Abete are the main contenders to succeed Gabriele Gravina as the President of the FIGC. Gravina resigned shortly after Italy’s defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final at the end of March.
The FIGC presidential election is scheduled for June 22nd. Over the past two weeks, both candidates have been actively presenting their platforms to various stakeholders within Italian football.
On Thursday, Malagò and Abete met with representatives from the players’ and coaches’ associations. These groups collectively hold 30% of the voting power in the June election (20% for the players’ association and 10% for the coaches’).
According to reports from Tuttosport on Friday, both the players’ and coaches’ associations are showing a slight preference for Malagò to replace Gravina.
The Tuttosport report also suggests that if Malagò is appointed, he intends to bring a prominent figure, likely a former national team star, into the FIGC structure.
Tuttosport identifies Zola, who currently serves as the vice-president of Lega Pro, as an ideal candidate. He is known within the football setup and is viewed favorably by those already involved with the FIGC. Maldini is also considered an attractive option due to his extensive experience in directorial roles during his post-playing career with AC Milan.
English Translation:
Giovanni Malagò is reportedly leading the race for the FIGC presidency, and there’s a possibility that Gianfranco Zola or Paolo Maldini might be brought into the new leadership of the Italian football association once a president is appointed.
Malagò and Giancarlo Abete are the primary candidates to succeed Gabriele Gravina as President of the FIGC. Gravina stepped down from his position shortly after Italy’s loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final at the end of March.
The FIGC presidential election will take place on June 22nd, and the two candidates have been actively presenting their cases to various bodies within the Italian football structure over the last two weeks.
On Thursday, Malagò and Abete both met with representatives from the players’ and coaches’ associations, who will hold a combined 30% of the votes in the June election (20% for the players’ association and 10% for the coaches’).
According to reports from Tuttosport on Friday, both of these bodies are leaning slightly in favor of selecting Malagò as Gravina’s replacement.
Friday’s report indicates that Malagò intends to include a ‘big name’ in the FIGC setup if he is appointed, likely a former national team star.
Tuttosport suggests that Zola, who currently serves as the vice-president of Lega Pro, is an ideal candidate. He is familiar with the existing structure and is viewed favorably by those already involved with the FIGC. Maldini is also considered an enticing option for various reasons, possessing considerable experience in a directorial capacity from his post-playing career with Milan.