The Italian Football Federation announced on Saturday the appointment of former international defender Paolo Maldini as technical director, as Italy seeks to get its national team back on track after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

Maldini, who made 126 international appearances for Italy, held the same position for four years at AC Milan, where he spent his entire playing career and helped the team win seven Serie A titles.

His appointment comes after Giovanni Malago was elected president of the Italian Football Federation last month, following his role as head of the organizing committee for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics held in February.

The Italian Football Federation said in a statement on Saturday: 'President Giovanni Malago is pleased to announce that Paolo Maldini has agreed to take on the role of technical director of the federation.'

The Italian federation added that Brazilian Leonardo will serve as advisor to his former Milan teammate. Local media reported that Maldini, 58, signed a contract until 2028.

Malago, the former president of the Italian Olympic Committee, replaced Gabriele Gravina, who resigned after the shock World Cup qualifying exit in April, which sparked widespread anger among fans and politicians.

Maldini will begin his tenure by searching for a new Italy coach after the federation parted ways with Gennaro Gattuso following the penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup qualifying playoff final in March, which resulted in the four-time champion missing the sport's biggest event for the third straight time.