Maldini, appointed technical director at the start of the month, is facing an immediate test of ambition. The former AC Milan and Italy defender has made clear that an appointment this week is desirable, but not at the expense of choosing the right candidate.
“The best thing would be to announce the new coach this week, but even more to wait for the person we really want,” Maldini said. “So there's urgency, but not so much inside us.”
That stance reflects the scale of the rebuild. Italy’s latest setback, a play-off defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed the departures of coach Gennaro Gattuso and federation president Gabriele Gravina.
Guardiola would represent a dramatic change in direction. The former Manchester City manager has built teams around possession, positional discipline and relentless technical standards, qualities Italy has often sought but struggled to sustain in recent campaigns. Reports suggest Maldini and Leonardo recently held talks with the Spaniard.
Ancelotti offers a different kind of authority. The veteran coach has won major honours in several countries and is widely respected for managing elite personalities, although his existing commitment to Brazil reportedly complicates any approach.
“We can't hide that we also talked with Carlo Ancelotti before talking with Pep,” Maldini explained.
If neither headline candidate is available, former Italy coaches Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte are reportedly among the alternatives. Andrea Pirlo, a 2006 World Cup winner as a player, is also understood to be under consideration.
The next appointment must restore credibility before Italy returns to competitive action. Whether Maldini lands a global superstar or turns to a familiar Italian figure, the decision will define the federation’s next era.