Italian football has entered a critical new phase as Giovanni Malagò has been elected president of the FIGC, winning the vote with 68.58% support. His rival, former federation president Giancarlo Abete, received 29.17%.
Malagò’s appointment comes at a moment of deep crisis for Italian football, following the national team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time. The setback has intensified pressure on the system and triggered major leadership changes.
National team coach Genaro Gattuso has stepped down, with Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte emerging as leading candidates to take over.
The election also drew attention due to reported interest from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who was said to have closely followed the process.
In his first remarks as president, Malagò emphasized unity and reform, stating that the federation must address deep structural issues and rebuild cooperation across Italian football and politics.
Looking ahead, one of the major priorities will be preparations for UEFA Euro 2032, which Italy is set to co-host. Malagò warned that the tournament represents a major challenge that cannot be underestimated.
Italian football now enters a rebuilding phase, balancing urgent sporting recovery with long-term institutional reform.