Adriano Galliani of Monza watches the Serie A clash between Cagliari and Monza at Sardegna Arena on Nov 26, 2023 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Should Giovanni Malagò be dismissed as FIGC chief over the alleged voting irregularity, former Milan and Monza boss Adriano Galliani is being touted as his replacement.
The June ballot was a decisive win, yet a lawyer’s challenge argues it could be nullified because Malagò wasn’t a registered FIGC member at the time.
This stems from his recent tenure as president of CONI, the body that governs all Italian sport.
It looks increasingly certain that Malagò will have to resign, prompting a special commissioner to take over and organize fresh elections. For my money, Galliani offers the steadiness the federation needs.
Galliani ready to step up
La Repubblica reports several Serie A clubs are already scouting a successor, with Adriano Galliani at the top of their list.
The 82‑year‑old senator for Forza Italia has spent four decades beside Silvio Berlusconi, first at Milan then at Monza.
The plan envisions Galliani steering the federation through a brief two‑year transition before new voting takes place.
A special commissioner is expected to be appointed between Oct 6 and Oct 10, after the international break.
Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis slammed the move to oust Malagò, calling it a mere technicality.
‘Malagò is the only one who can get Italian football back on track, but they want to remove him because someone else covets his seat,’ De Laurentiis said.
‘Giancarlo Giorgetti and Andrea Abodi have constantly created obstacles for the sport,’ he added.
Malagò could still secure his FIGC registration and run again, though he may not enjoy unanimous Serie A support this round.
Reports suggest clubs such as Inter, Juventus, Roma and Atalanta remain skeptical after his early months in charge.