Giovanni Malagò secured the Italian football federation presidency with 68.58% of the vote on Monday, defeating former president Giancarlo Abete who garnered 29.17%. The election follows a period of turmoil after the Azzurri's failure to qualify for a third straight World Cup, leading to Gabriele Gravina's resignation.

Malagò's immediate priority is appointing a new national team coach after Gennaro Gattuso's departure. The two leading candidates are Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte, both former Italy managers with proven track records. Mancini lifted the European Championship trophy in 2021 before his unsuccessful World Cup campaign and subsequent moves to Saudi Arabia and Al Sadd. Conte brings experience from the 2016 European Championship and his recent stint at Napoli.

Before taking charge of the Milan Cortina Olympics organizing committee, Malagò served as president of the Italian Olympic Committee and maintains his position as an IOC member. His administrative background in major sporting events contrasts with the football federation's recent struggles on the pitch. The new president faces pressure to restore Italy's footballing reputation and secure World Cup qualification for the 2026 tournament.

Malagò's election represents a clean break from the Gravina era, though the federation's problems run deeper than leadership. Success will depend on whether he can attract the right coaching talent and rebuild confidence in Italian football ahead of the next World Cup cycle.