Silvio Baldini may take over the temporary command of Italy.

The crisis in Italian football reaches a new peak with the confirmation of Gabriele Gravina’s dismissal, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), at a time when the future of the Azzurra national team is more uncertain than ever. Following the debacle in the post-World Cup phase, Italy now faces a race against time to secure an interim coach to lead the team until a permanent replacement for Gennaro Gattuso is found.

The situation is alarming: with two friendly matches scheduled before the FIGC presidential election, set for June 22 in Rome, the federation finds itself at a crossroads. It is imperative that a coach is appointed even before the new president is chosen, a task that seems to further complicate the already troubled landscape of Italian football.

According to information reported by Sportmediaset and CalcioMercato.it, the most concrete and viable solution being considered is the temporary appointment of Silvio Baldini, the current under-21 coach of Italy. This measure would not only ensure continuity but also allow time to define the long-term strategy.

The case of Baldini refers to a recent and revealing precedent. In 2018, after Italy’s historic failure to secure a place in the World Cup under the management of Giampiero Ventura, the under-21 coach Luigi Di Biagio took on the interim role during two friendly matches against Argentina and England, until Roberto Mancini arrived as the permanent coach. Baldini now emerges as the man called to play a similar role at a crucial time for the reconstruction of the national team.

Baldini’s appointment as interim coach could be the first step towards a profound reform of Italian football, which will necessarily involve the election of a new FIGC president, an act that will define the future direction of the national team. The new leader will be responsible for choosing Gattuso’s definitive successor, in a process that promises to be meticulous and decisive for Italy’s return to the highest levels of world football.

Meanwhile, Silvio Baldini is preparing to take on a gigantic challenge at a time when Italian football needs stability and renewal. Tension is in the air, the world’s eyes are on the Azzurra, and the clock is ticking. Italy is in emergency mode, and the decision regarding the interim technical command could be the first step towards saving the prestige of one of the planet’s most iconic national teams.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.