Gravina: ‘Italian football is in good hands, I should have left earlier’

Departing FIGC President Gabriele Gravina is confident that the future of football in Italy is in good hands with either Giancarlo Abete or Giovanni Malago and says that he should have left his position at the top of the Italian FA sooner. 

Gravina speaks at FIGC elections: ‘I should have left sooner’

An election to appoint a new President of the FIGC is taking place in Rome on Monday: Abete and Malago the two candidates on the ballot following the resignation of Gravina shortly after Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup at the end of March. 

The FIGC Assembly is now underway in Rome: Malago, Abete and Gravina all in attendance. 

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – MARCH 15: Giovanni Malago, President of Milano Cortina 2026 waves during the medal ceremonies for the Men’s Slalom events on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on March 15, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

The departing FIGC President gave a few brief statements to reporters before the elections got underway in Italy on Monday. 

“I have to thank you and thank football, it was an amazing experience,” said Gravina, who held the highest position within Italy’s FA between 2018 and 2026. 

“I have to wish the two candidates good luck. Football will be in good hands for sure,” he added. 

ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: (L-R) President of CONI Luciano Buonfiglio, President of FIGC Gabriele Gravina and UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin look on prior the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

And is there anything that Gravina would do differently if given the opportunity? “I’ve already said it, I should have left earlier,” the 72-year-old confessed. 

Monday morning’s reports indicate that Malago was the favourite heading into the election. If Malago is elected, it is increasingly likely that Roberto Mancini will be reappointed as head coach of the Italy national team.