On July 11, Maldini stepped in as technical director of the Italian Football Federation. He took the job on the understanding that he would be free to choose who would be appointed as the next national team coach for the Italian men's team.
Now the 58-year-old has decided to leave the role, along with adviser Leonardo.
Maldini and Leonardo first met with Pep Guardiola, who turned them down. So did Carlo Ancelotti.
Then the focus turned to Andrea Pirlo. But it later emerged that Pirlo has a partnership with the Russian gambling company Fonbet, which, according to Forbes, has connections to the Russian regime.
The FIGC then decided that Pirlo could no longer be a candidate, which was said to have been the final straw for Maldini.
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