Galliani could challenge Malagò in FIGC election

Adriano Galliani is emerging as a strong candidate against Giovanni Malagò in the presidential election of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), scheduled for 14 December. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Serie A clubs almost unanimously backed Malagò's candidacy in April, but that support has weakened recently.

Clubs are unhappy that they were not consulted on Roberto Mancini's appointment as Italy national team head coach, nor on the selection of the national team delegation head and other key roles. As a result, a group of clubs has approached Galliani, who won 29 trophies in 31 years at Milan and took Monza to Serie A for the first time. Galliani has not completely ruled out this direction.

Those backing Galliani also hope to gather support from players, head coaches and lower-division clubs. Serie A clubs must largely decide which candidate they will support before 4 November, the deadline for candidacies.

Speaking to La Repubblica, Malagò said he is confident he will be re-elected. He acknowledged that the majority has not abandoned him since he took office and that the rumours could be true, but said he is not influenced by such talk. Malagò noted that some figures with significant histories are resisting, and said unity could still be achieved through dialogue.

Malagò said he has been calling Serie A presidents one by one, has spoken with 13 of them so far, and that all have promised him their support.