Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have reportedly resigned from their roles with the Italian football federation, just 16 days after the former took the job. Talk about a short honeymoon period. Maldini was appointed technical director on July 11 to salvage the national team after they failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. He brought in Leonardo as his adviser, but both have now walked out after Andrea Pirlo's appointment as head coach fell through.

Pirlo was Maldini's top pick for the job, but the former midfielder's links to Russian betting company Fonbet caused fierce opposition. Pirlo announced on Instagram Monday that he was 'no longer the candidate,' leaving the federation with no clear strategy and a new president, Giovanni Malagò, facing an immediate crisis. The Italian national team is at its lowest point in 40 years, with early European exits for Italian clubs and another World Cup failure. Candidates now linked include Roberto Mancini, Thiago Motta, and Antonio Conte - because nothing says 'rebuilding' like recycling the same old names.