Paolo Maldini Archives - The Cult of Calcio

Paolo Maldini and Leonardo chose Andrea Pirlo as the next Italy coach after Pep Guardiola rejected it, but Giovanni Malagò halted it.

FIGC in a Crisis as the Appointment of Pirlo Collapses

July 27, 2026 Enrico Passarella FIGC, Italy, The Azzurri

Paolo Maldini and Leonardo chose Andrea Pirlo as the next Italy coach after Pep Guardiola rejected it, but FIGC president Giovanni Malagò halted the procedures over some delicate off-the-pitch matters. The young coach faced scrutiny for a contract with a Russian betting company.

After mulling it over for a while, Paolo Maldini has accepted the FIGC’s offer to be Italy’s new technical director.

Maldini Takes Italy Job, Reaches Out to Guardiola

July 13, 2026 Enrico Passarella FIGC, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, The Azzurri

After mulling it over for a while, Paolo Maldini has accepted the FIGC’s offer to be Italy’s new technical director. One of his first moves was an informal meeting with Pep Guardiola to gauge his availability. In a surprise move, the exec is being joined by Leonardo.

Giovanni Malagò won the FIGC election in a landslide as expected, and he's in talks with Paolo Maldini and Antonio Conte to guide Italy.

New FIGC President Negotiating with Maldini and Conte

June 25, 2026 Enrico Passarella FIGC, Italian Football, Italy, The Azzurri

As expected, Giovanni Malagò won the FIGC election in a landslide, garnering nearly 70 percent of the votes, and his next mission will be to appoint a new director and a new Italy coach, in that order, with Paolo Maldini and Antonio Conte as the current favorites.

Udinese Captain Outlines Milan ‘Dream’ After Busted Move In 2021

October 13, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025, Udinese

Udinese skipper Florian Thauvin admits playing for Milan would be a 'dream' as he makes an admission about long-gone interest from the Rossoneri. During a comprehensive interview with Calciomercato, the French veteran claimed Paolo Maldini tried to take him to Stadio San Siro after the end of his second episode at Olympique Marseille in 2021.

Milan Talisman Makes History with Match-Winning Performance Against Lecce

September 28, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan

Whether Theo Hernandez is the best left-back in the world is debatable, but there's no argument that he's one of the best defenders in the history of Milan. The French star entered the club's folklore on Friday night with a thunderous strike in a 3-0 demolition of Lecce, becoming the joint-highest scorer among Rossoneri defenders.

Napoli staved off a feeble attempt by Inter and will soon officialize the arrival of Alessandro Buongiorno. He’ll take the medicals early in the week.

Napoli’s Buongiorno Reveals Role Models in First Presser

July 30, 2024 Akhil Fisher Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Transfer Market

Newly-signed Napoli stopper Alessandro Buongiorno has revealed the defenders he looks up to in a bid to elevate his game. Having completed his move from Torino, the 25-year-old becomes the Partenopei’s fourth permanent transfer of the season, after Rafa Marin, Leonardo Spinazzola and Matija Popovic.

Recent rumors from Spain suggested Barcelona was keen on Rafael Leao and was preparing an offer, but Milan have every intention of keeping their ace.

Leao Voices Commitment to Milan as PSG Buzz Resurfaces

January 29, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Ligue 1, PSG, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Rafael Leao has been shortlisted by PSG for the summer, when they might have to replace Kylian Mbappé. There’s a €175M release clause in his contract. Director Luis Campos, who worked for Lille in the past, is handling the deal.

Former Milan director Paolo Maldini has broken his silence about his ousting from Milan in an interview: "Some people are just passing through."

Maldini Discusses His Milan Exit, Cardinale, and Pioli

December 1, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Former Milan director Paolo Maldini has broken his silence about his ousting from Milan in an interview: “I could have spoken from the gut, while time gives you more serenity. Some people are just passing through and don’t abide by the team’s identity and history."

Paolo Maldini announced that Ismael Bennacer will extend his contract very soon and that they are making progress in the negotiation with Rafael Leao.

Milan Legend Paolo Maldini Offered New Job in Saudi Arabia

November 11, 2023 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Serie A

Five months after leaving Milan, Paolo Maldini could embark on a new chapter in his sporting director career, says Fabrizio Romano. The 55-year-old has emerged among the likeliest candidates to take the same role at Al-Ittihad.

Like Fathers, Like Sons: Thuram and Weah Last in Line of Famous Serie A Successors

June 25, 2023 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Inter, Juventus, Serie A, Tactical Trends

Marcus Thuram and Timothy Weah are on the brink of moving to Inter and Juventus, respectively, to join a large contingent of the sons of former Serie A icons. Let's take a short trip down the memory line to remember those who once wrote history in Italian football and can now enjoy watching their sons follow their path.

Nesta Deplores Milan Decision: “Maldini Sack Beyond Any Logic”

June 9, 2023 Akhil Fisher AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Transfer Market

Maldini and Nesta manned Milan's defensive line for 10 years together, winning a host of trophies together, including two Scudetti and Champions League titles each.

Paolo Maldini wasn’t axed only because his ideas and strategy didn’t coincide with those of the ownership but also because he clashed with Stefano Pioli.

Maldini Also Paid the Price Due to Frictions with Pioli

June 9, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Paolo Maldini wasn’t axed only because his ideas and strategy didn’t coincide with those of the ownership but because he clashed with Stefano Pioli too. The higher-ups decided to side with the coach. He will have more power after the shake-up. The Rossoneri managed to keep the disagreements under wraps.

Tag: Paolo Maldini