Newly elected FIGC President Giovanni Malagò has delivered a stark warning about the state of Italian football, declaring it “fossilised” and describing the task of preparing five stadiums for EURO 2032 as “a challenge within a challenge.” Speaking at his first press conference after winning the FIGC presidency with 68.58% of the vote, Malagò made it clear that the national game must embrace urgent reform or risk falling further behind.
A New Era at the FIGC
Malagò’s election marks a significant shift in Italian football governance. The former president of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) defeated Giancarlo Abete, the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti president, in a vote that saw him secure a clear majority. He replaces Gabriele Gravina, who stepped down earlier this year after Italy’s disappointing failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
“I have not spoken to Roberto Mancini yet,” Malagò said when quizzed about the future of the Italy national team coach, a decision that will be one of his first major tests. The Azzurri are at a crossroads, and Malagò’s ability to appoint the right technical leadership is seen as critical.
The Stadium Conundrum
The centrepiece of Malagò’s message was the enormous logistical and financial challenge of hosting EURO 2032, for which Italy is set to provide five venues. The country’s ageing infrastructure has long been a source of frustration for fans and clubs alike, with many of the iconic grounds dating back to the 1990 World Cup.
“Getting five stadiums ready is a challenge within a challenge,” Malagò said. “We are not starting from zero, but the work that must be done is enormous. Italian football cannot remain fossilised by a lack of reforms. We have to modernise, not just the stadiums but the whole system.”
While cities such as Milan, Rome, and Turin are expected to be involved, securing funding and cutting through Italy’s notorious bureaucratic hurdles will be a monumental task. The clock is already ticking, with less than six years before the tournament kicks off.
Reforming the System
Beyond bricks and mortar, Malagò signalled that the Italian football pyramid needs a complete overhaul. He pointed to the Serie A’s declining global competitiveness, the weak financial health of many clubs, and the continued reliance on outdated stadium models that discourage matchday attendance.
“We are fossilised,” he repeated. “Other countries have moved forward while we have stood still. The EURO can be a catalyst, but only if we use it to transform Italian football permanently.” However, he offered no concrete timelines for reform, leaving fans and stakeholders wondering how quickly change might come.
Key Takeaways
- New leadership, old problems: Giovanni Malagò’s election brings hope but also an immediate in-tray of deep-rooted issues.
- Stadium crisis: Preparing five venues for EURO 2032 is a monumental task given Italy’s ageing infrastructure and red tape.
- “Fossilised” football: Malagò’s stark language suggests a clear-eyed recognition that Serie A and the national team have fallen behind.
- Reform urgent: Without structural changes, the EURO 2032 project may be a missed opportunity to revitalise the game.
- Coaching decision looms: The future of Roberto Mancini and the Italy national team will be an early indicator of Malagò’s direction.
Quick Facts
Election result: Malagò won with 68.58% of the vote
Predecessor: Gabriele Gravina resigned after World Cup qualification failure
Stadiums needed for EURO 2032: Five, across multiple Italian cities
Key quote: “Italian football cannot remain fossilised by a lack of reforms”
First task: Appointing a new Italy head coach
