Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have reportedly resigned from their positions at the Italian Football Federation only days after joining a major restructuring project for the national team.

Maldini was appointed the federation’s technical director on July 11 and tasked with helping rebuild Italy following the country’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

One of his first responsibilities was to help appoint a successor to Gennaro Gattuso, while former Brazil international Leonardo joined the project as his adviser. Their assignments lasted only 16 days.

The resignations followed Andrea Pirlo’s withdrawal from consideration for the national team coaching position. The former Italy international’s candidacy had attracted controversy and strong opposition because of his commercial links to a Russian betting company.

Pirlo was reportedly Maldini’s preferred choice after former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola rejected the position.

The departures leave newly appointed federation president Giovanni Malagò facing an immediate crisis, with no clear strategy in place for the national team during one of Italian football’s most difficult periods in nearly four decades.

Italy’s problems have been compounded by the early elimination of its clubs from European competitions last season and the national team’s latest failure to reach the World Cup.

Roberto Mancini, Thiago Motta and Antonio Conte are now among the prominent names being discussed as possible candidates for the coaching position. The federation has not yet issued an official response.