Former Italy and Roma manager Claudio Ranieri has backed Paolo Maldini's assessment of the challenges facing Italian football, though he admits he has not reviewed Maldini's specific proposals. Speaking to Football Italia on November 5, 2026, Ranieri said he agrees with the AC Milan legend's diagnosis but warned that fixing the national game would require a long-term commitment of eight to ten years.
Ranieri, who has managed clubs across Europe including Leicester City, Chelsea, and Napoli, emphasized that structural reforms, youth development, and cultural changes are needed to restore Italy's standing in world football. The 73-year-old did not detail which aspects of Maldini's plan he supports, stating only that he had not yet read it.
