New FIGC President Malago: “Together We Can Do Everything”

Giovanni Malago chosen as head of Italian Football Federation

Giovanni Malago wins FIGC election after Italy’s World Cup exit. He replaces Gabriele Gravina and now must appoint a new Italy coach and rebuild youth development.

After playoff loss to Bosnia, Italy turned to Giovanni Malago. The 67-year-old must unite FIGC and fix a youth system called “unfit for purpose” by Baggio...

Giovanni Malago became president of the Italian Football Federation on Monday. His job is to bring the four-time world champions back to the top after they missed out on a third straight World Cup.

The 67-year-old businessman steps in after leading the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics organising committee in February. That event was widely praised for running smoothly.

The ex-president of Italy’s National Olympic Committee and former futsal player beat Giancarlo Abete with 68.58% of the vote at the FIGC assembly in Rome.

He takes over from Gabriele Gravina, who stepped down after April’s stunning World Cup qualifying failure sparked heavy criticism from fans and politicians. Italian clubs then also flopped in European competition, pushing the country’s football to its worst point in four decades.

Malago now faces an urgent task: bringing the federation together and tackling the deep problems in Italian soccer.

“I am not afraid but I am highly mindful of the responsibilities. The expectations are absurdly high but that is also the case within the Federation itself,” he told reporters after winning the election.

His top priorities right now are finding a new coach for the men’s national team, rebuilding the youth system, and speeding up work for the 2032 European Championship that Italy will co-host with Turkey.

Roots Shouldn’t Weigh You Down

“The Football Federation must not just administer; it must be a source of inspiration. It is the largest social institution in the country, and not just ‌in terms of numbers,” Malago said ahead of the voting.

“Our roots must not be a source of nostalgia or a burden; we must turn them into an incentive to look toward a new season - one that is courageous, victorious, humble yet ambitious.”

Most observers agree a major shake-up was overdue after Italy’s World Cup hopes ended with a playoff loss to Bosnia & Herzegovina in April.

The aftermath of that defeat was swift. Head coach Gennaro Gattuso resigned, and former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon left his role as national team delegation chief.

The signs of trouble had been building long before that qualifying exit.

ULTIM'ORA FIGC

Giovanni #Malagò è il nuovo presidente: è stato eletto con il 68.58% dei voti#SkySport

— skysport (@SkySport) June 22, 2026

Even earlier, big names like former striker Roberto Baggio had warned that Italy’s youth development model was outdated and no longer worked.

“Alone I can do nothing, together we can do everything,” Malago said after winning the vote, calling for unity across the federation.

For 72-year-old Gravina, who had run the federation since 2018, the assembly was a chance to look back.

“I’ve already said it, I should have left earlier,” Gravina told reporters as the meeting got underway.