Malagò: ‘I think I have the support of the public, haven’t heard from Galliani’
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY - MARCH 5: Giovanni Malago, President of the Organising Committee for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, speaks during the mural inauguration ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at the Cortina Paralympic Village on March 05, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images for IPC)
FIGC President Giovanni Malagò feels that he still has support from the public and from those inside the Italian FA amidst reports that he may be forced to step down from his position, and says that he has not heard from his prospective replacement Adriano Galliani.
Malagò comments on FIGC Presidency, Galliani, Mancini and Italy vs. Belgium
Malagò was elected as the new President of the Italian football association in June, but is already facing the possibility of having to step down due to the fact that he was not a registered member of the FIGC at the time of the vote.
Before running for the FIGC Presidency, Malagò had served as the President of CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee, which oversees all of the nation’s sporting activity.
Reports in Italy over the last week suggest that it is increasingly likely that Malagò will have to step down due to this technicality and that the FIGC will be placed under a special commissioner, which could potentially be former Milan and Monza director Galliani.
Malagò was asked for his opinion on the matter by reporters after an FIGC event in Rome on Friday, ahead of Roberto Mancini’s second debut in charge of the Italy national team against Belgium in the Nations League later this evening.
He made it clear that he does not wish to go into major details regarding his eligibility as FIGC President, and that he is only focused on footballing matters.
“As far as I’m concerned, the situation has been externalised. But, I only want to talk about football,” Malagò told reporters (via TMW).
He continued: “I don’t feel like sending any messages to anyone. It’s all very clear. Aside from the people on the inside, I think there is a big wave of support from the public and in the media.”
Asked what he makes of the rumours that Galliani could be placed in temporary charge of the FIGC, Malagò said: “I’ve never heard from him. Advice is always welcome. I have a great relationship with him, but I’ve not heard from him.”
Moving onto the upcoming Italy vs. Belgium clash, Malagò put his faith in returning head coach Mancini, a close friend of his.
“I spoke to him before the press conference yesterday, I also saw him two days ago at Coverciano. He knows the place well, as well as he does the world of football. The ball is still round, that we know.”
And asked how important young players will be in this new Italy ‘project’, Malagò said: “Ranieri is always in contact with Zola. I created the conditions for this to happen, but I don’t want to replace any other roles. It’s to show that we can do it and that we are addressing the situation in a determined manner.”
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