Davide Malagò appointed new head of Italian football following third World Cup miss

It feels almost surreal. The very name of Italian football – once synonymous with glory – now carries a faint echo of disappointment. For the third time in recent memory, the Azzurri failed to book a ticket to the World Cup, and the backlash was swift, loud and, frankly, inevitable.

Enter Davide Malagò. Known to many as the steady hand that has guided Italy’s Olympic committee (CONI) for years, Malagò was elected president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) at a hastily‑called extraordinary assembly on Tuesday. His victory was not a landslide – the vote was close, reflecting a federation still split over its future direction – but it was decisive enough to hand him the reins of a sport that now feels bruised.

“We have to listen, we have to learn, and we have to act,” Malagò told a packed press room, his voice betraying both resolve and the weight of the moment. He promised a “new era” – one that would see the national team back on the world stage, youth academies revitalised, and Serie A restored to its former competitive edge.

Critics, however, are already pointing out the uphill battle ahead. The national team’s failure to qualify – a first since 1958 – exposed structural issues ranging from scouting gaps to an aging tactical mindset. Club football, too, has been under fire, with fans demanding more transparent governance and a crackdown on the financial irregularities that have plagued several Serie A outfits.

Malagò’s first challenge will be to convene a task force comprising former players, coaches, and independent experts. The aim? To draft a concrete five‑year plan that tackles everything from grassroots development to the modernisation of the league’s commercial model. He also hinted at a possible overhaul of the senior team’s coaching staff, though he stopped short of naming any names.

For many Italians, this moment feels like a crossroads. The love for football runs deep – it’s Sunday afternoon rituals, the clatter of espresso cups in stadium cafés, the collective gasp when a goal is scored. Yet that love now demands accountability. As Malagò steps into his new role, the country watches, hoping that the next chapter will rewrite the narrative from one of repeated disappointment to one of renewed hope.