Giovanni Carnevali has publicly rebuked FIGC president Giovanni Malagò for appointing Roberto Mancini as Italy manager, arguing the federation prioritised relationships over merit and missed a chance to build a coherent sporting structure. Carnevali demanded technical leadership, investment in youth and transparency, while widening his critique to FIFA’s direction under Gianni Infantino.
Carnevali slams Malagò’s Mancini appointment as missed strategic opportunity
Giovanni Carnevali, a senior Serie A executive, has sharply criticised Giovanni Malagò’s decision to appoint Roberto Mancini as Italy football manager, arguing the federation should have chosen ability over personal ties. “Despite being a great figure in sport, in my view the new FIGC president could have moved better,” Carnevali said, arguing the selection process lacked the structural planning Italy needs.
“Bring in capable people, not friends”
Carnevali was blunt: “You shouldn’t bring in friends, but capable people.” He said Serie A had even proposed funding a higher-profile coaching option — a clear reference to the kind of candidate with an established international résumé. The message is straightforward: federation decisions must be merit-based and transparent if Italian football is to regain long-term competitiveness.
Calls for a federation built like a club
Carnevali urged a remodelled FIGC, “like a football club,” with a technical director and a sporting director to steer long-term strategy. He stressed the need to “start again from the foundations, from young players and educators, with a sporting project.” That language frames the argument beyond one appointment — it’s a critique of governance and a push for institutional reform focused on youth development and coherent pathway planning.
Why structural leadership matters for Italy
Without a technical leadership layer, coaching appointments risk being short-term fixes. A dedicated technical director can align youth development, coaching education and senior-team strategy — an essential link if Italy is to compete consistently at major tournaments. Carnevali’s emphasis on educators signals concern that Italy’s talent pipeline could stagnate without clarity and investment.
Sympathy for Pirlo and the coaching debate
Carnevali expressed sympathy for Andrea Pirlo, who had been an early frontrunner before being dropped: “I also feel sorry for Andrea Pirlo, who was attacked very strongly for choices that were perhaps mistaken.” The remark highlights a wider coaching debate — how federations balance potential and experience, and how quickly they judge younger or less-established candidates.
Potential consequences for team cohesion and public trust
The fallout from a contested appointment can ripple through the national setup: coach credibility, staff recruitment and youth-coach relations may all be affected. Carnevali’s public intervention also raises questions about FIGC transparency and whether stakeholder engagement — including Serie A’s signal of financial backing — should carry weight in national decisions.
Broader governance critique: FIFA in the crosshairs
Carnevali broadened his critique to world football governance, noting that “there are 55 federations opposed to what FIFA is pursuing” and suggesting Gianni Infantino’s direction departs from values he endorses. This alignment with dissenting European federations amplifies domestic concerns, linking FIGC decisions to a wider debate about transparency and accountability in global football.
What this means next
The immediate consequence is intensified scrutiny of Malagò’s leadership and a louder call for FIGC institutional reform. Expect renewed pressure for a clear sporting project, potential proposals to appoint technical leadership, and continued debate between the federation, clubs and stakeholders. For Italy’s national team, the crucial test will be whether reforms follow rhetoric — or whether short-term appointments continue to dictate trajectory.
Final assessment
Carnevali’s intervention is more than a criticism of one hire; it’s a strategic warning. If Italian football wants sustainable revival, appointments must be part of a coherent plan rather than ad hoc choices driven by relationships.
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The federations’ next moves will determine whether Italy rebuilds methodically around youth and technical leadership — or remains vulnerable to recurring cycles of reactive decision-making.
Football Italia
