Italy’s football federation crisis offers a masterclass in organizational turmoil management

Italy’s football governing body, the FIGC, is doing something that most organizations in crisis struggle with: admitting the problem is big enough to need a Plan B. And a Plan C. Giovanni Malagò, the anticipated new president of the Italian Football Federation, has outlined three separate contingency plans for appointing a new head coach and technical director after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

It’s the third consecutive World Cup that the Azzurri will miss. For a country that has won the tournament four times, that’s roughly equivalent to Bitcoin dropping to triple digits. Theoretically possible, historically shocking, and deeply uncomfortable for everyone involved.

The collapse and the cleanup

Here’s what happened. Italy’s World Cup dreams ended after a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the March 2026 playoffs. The fallout was swift and brutal.

Gennaro Gattuso, who took over as coach in June 2025, resigned on April 3, 2026. His tenure was brief and, by any measure, unsuccessful. Gianluigi Buffon, serving as delegation head, also stepped down. Outgoing president Gabriele Gravina was already on his way out the door.

Silvio Baldini, the Under-21 coach, is currently handling interim duties while the federation figures out its next move. A new FIGC president is expected to be elected soon, with coaching appointments to follow shortly after.

Malagò’s “Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C” framing is notable because it signals the federation isn’t just looking for a warm body to fill the role. They’re acknowledging that their first-choice candidate might not work out, and they’ve prepared accordingly.

The candidates and the politics

Antonio Conte sits at the top of most shortlists. The former Juventus, Chelsea, and Inter Milan manager has garnered support from multiple presidential candidates, including Malagò himself and rival candidate Giancarlo Abete. When competing factions agree on the same name, that name tends to get the job.

Roberto Mancini is also reportedly in the mix. He previously managed Italy to their Euro 2020 triumph, so his credentials aren’t exactly in question.

Malagò has signaled that the federation’s restructuring won’t be limited to swapping out names on office doors. Early indications suggest the new leadership will focus on sustainable infrastructure improvements and a longer-term vision for the national team.

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