Leonardo (foto: //)
Leonardo will work alongside Paolo Maldini as a special adviser in Italy's national team project after accepting a new role with the FIGC.
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Leonardo is set to return to
Italian football after accepting a role as special adviser to
Paolo Maldini, who has recently taken over as the new technical director of the
Italy national team.
Maldini accepted the newly created position following weeks of negotiations, with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) designing the role to provide greater structure, continuity and long-term planning for the Azzurri.
One of the biggest surprises surrounding the new project is the arrival of Leonardo, the former AC Milan player, coach and executive who also enjoyed two spells in senior management at Paris Saint-Germain.
Maldini personally requested Leonardo
FIGC president Giovanni Malagò revealed that the appointment was Maldini's own idea from the very beginning of discussions.
"From the start, Paolo told me he would be happy to bring Leonardo in as a consultant because there is a great deal of work to do and this will be a difficult challenge," Malagò told TG2 Post.
He also welcomed the proposal.
"I'm pleased as well because I have enormous respect for Leonardo. They are two sides of the same coin," he said.
A long history in Italian football
Leonardo's ties with Italian football stretch back almost three decades. He played for AC Milan between 1997 and 2001 before returning for one final season in 2002/03.
After retiring, he remained with the Rossoneri, first working as a scout before becoming technical director and later serving as head coach during the 2009/10 campaign.
He then made the controversial move across the city to Inter Milan, coaching the Nerazzurri from December 2010 until the end of the season.
Back together for a new challenge
Leonardo later held senior executive roles at Paris Saint-Germain across two separate spells and also briefly coached Antalyaspor. He returned to Milan as technical director in 2018, where he worked closely with Maldini.
The pair will now reunite at international level as they attempt to rebuild Italy's football structure following several turbulent years and help restore long-term stability around the national team.