The longest and hottest summer of Malagò’s life

Giovanni Malagò had never experienced a summer quite like this one. Accustomed to basking in the glory of the Italian team’s gold medals, he went from one podium to the next to hear live the national anthem he had always considered the most beautiful in the world. He will, however, long remember this summer of 2026 – the one he should have, and could have, spent aboard his yacht, sailing on another shade of blue: that of the sea. When he decided to accept the nomination for president of the FIGC, he never imagined he would have to weather one storm after another. Yet even his closest friends had warned him: “Why on earth are you going into the Football Association? You’ve already proved everything and more. Enjoy your life, Giovanni.” But he paid no heed; he simply turned a deaf ear. A loyal friend recounts having even argued with him in an attempt to dissuade him. No use. The call of sport proved stronger than anything else. So here he is, right in the eye of the storm. New enemies and, perhaps, further honour. He’s played his part, of course, but when CONI rejected Diana Bianchedi’s candidacy with a statement that was, to put it mildly, extremely harsh, the stakes were raised even further. A new enemy has appeared on the horizon. An opponent who made no secret of his stance, but wrote clearly: ‘… the relevant offices and competent bodies were promptly mobilised to assess any issues of appropriateness, ineligibility and incompatibility, in order to safeguard the National Executive Committee’. There are three words that admit of no interpretation: appropriateness, ineligibility and incompatibility are terms of unique clarity and gravity. They were devised specifically by those who know the rules inside out and could not wait to call offside on the former CONI president, guilty of having promoted Diana Bianchedi, CONI’s deputy vice-president, to head of the national team delegation. All this whilst notifying President Buonfiglio with time almost running out.

The organisation he led for 12 years, from 19 February 2013 to 26 June 2025. It turned against him. His successor, Luciano Buonfiglio – the man he had backed and championed after waiting until the very last moment for an extension – stripped him of every safety net whilst he was walking a tightrope between Maldini, Guardiola, Pirlo and the whole lot, right up to the appointment of Diana Bianchedi as head of the Italian national team’s delegation. A decision that Malagò rightly described as “a cultural revolution”. It takes courage and that typical Malagò-style nerve to put a woman – even one with an impeccable CV like Diana Bianchedi – in a role previously held by Boniperti, Riva, Vialli or Buffon. But, on the other hand, with Ranieri already on the organisational chart, another footballer might well have been superfluous. One should not assume that Bianchedi will take on the role in the same way as Vialli and co. did. She has neither the technical depth nor the footballing expertise to step into a changing room. But she clearly has other qualities. If Malagò has decided to bring her to Via Allegri – having already wanted her by his side at Milano Cortina and having tried to put her forward for the presidency of CONI – there must be a reason. More than just a friend, she is someone he trusts, like Luca Bergamini, the new head of staff – former president of the Five-a-side Football (Futsal) Division and his long-standing team-mate from his days playing five-a-side football in Rome – or like Alessandro Catapano, the new spokesperson, who will nevertheless report to Roberto Coramusi, a man who has always stayed the course with Tavecchio and Gravina; in short, a capable individual. “If you’ve got good friends, why not work with them?” Malagò doesn’t say it, but we reckon his defence would sound something like that.

“Diana Bianchedi’s decision responds to a need – or rather, a request – from fans, the public and Italians: football must no longer be perceived as a world apart,” she explained to La Gazzetta dello Sport. It is regrettable that, judging by the comments posted beneath the article, it does not seem as though the public and fans have taken kindly to it. Giovanni Malagò has become Maria De Filippi, host of a Roman spin-off of "Amici". He, who was used to having the public – and above all the athletes – on his side, has suddenly found himself navigating uncharted territory. So much so that we have begun to wonder whether he needs to hear the clamour of his enemies to get himself fired up. There used to be Giorgetti, Abodi and Binaghi. They’re still there, of course, but now they’re no longer alone. They’ve been joined by his successor, who – first speaking to the Corriere della Sera – actually rejected the idea of a foreign manager (back in the days of Guardiola) and then gave the go-ahead to the statement consisting of three terse words. Meanwhile, the other parties are watching from the sidelines. Rumour has it that Serie A isn’t entirely happy with the latest moves, but then it transpires (as Maldini told Aldo Cazzullo) that no one had actually suggested Conte as head coach. The players themselves are said to have reacted with some surprise to the news of Banchedi’s candidacy to replace one of their own, but were subsequently given the necessary explanations.

Everyone is waiting to see what happens next. By now, they have realised that the word ‘sharing’ – with which Malagò had presented his project – has swiftly been replaced by ‘I’m in charge here, I make the decisions here’, an attitude that has often characterised Giovanni Malagò in his other (successful) sporting careers. Where perhaps things were far less complicated because he was at the heart of great teams and could focus fully on his work. Today, the team is still being put together so that work can proceed smoothly. There’s just one problem: if you win one fewer medal at the Games (something which, incidentally, hasn’t happened recently), few people are particularly shocked. If the national football team loses a match, there’s a risk of a parliamentary inquiry. But Malagò relishes the clamour of his enemies. Many will have to reckon with him.