Paolo Maldini admits he is “selective” about his future projects, but at the same time “limited to either Milan or Italy” and can’t give Gigi Buffon advice.

The Rossoneri legend has been out of the football world since his retirement, despite repeatedly espousing fascinating ideas on how to revamp the game at club and international level.

“At the end of the day, I didn’t turn down that much, it’s just that I am very selective and talks didn’t go all the way,” Maldini told Sky Sport Italia.

Paolo Maldini admits he is “selective” about his future projects, but at the same time “limited to either Milan or Italy” and can’t give Gigi Buffon advice.

The Rossoneri legend has been out of the football world since his retirement, despite repeatedly espousing fascinating ideas on how to revamp the game at club and international level.

“At the end of the day, I didn’t turn down that much, it’s just that I am very selective and talks didn’t go all the way,” Maldini told Sky Sport Italia.

“My story means I have to be selective, as my father was at Milan and so are my children. I am limited to two choices: either Milan or Italy.

“I’ve always said that I don’t necessarily need to work for either of the two, as my story is so much like a fairy-tale already. In order for me to be involved, we’d need a lot of things to happen and so far they haven’t happened.

“I am not the one who has to choose, either. At the moment, (Alessandro) Costacurta is the co-commissioner of the FIGC, but I don’t know how long he and the current leaders will be in charge and that’s a problem.

“I am always ready to listen to proposals from Milan and the Nazionale. Robert Mancini is the right man for the Italy CT, but we still can’t tell what the Federation will be like over the next few years and the project isn’t clear.”

While Maldini wouldn’t go elsewhere, Buffon has said he’s considering a move abroad after his Juventus experience is over.

“It’s difficult to give advice, because no two stories are the same. Only he knows how he feels. We are certainly bonded by one thing, which is our love for the sport and that’s what makes it difficult to say enough.

“It wasn’t so traumatic for me, as every May I’d decide whether to continue or not, in agreement with the club, Coach and teammates, based on my fitness levels.”

Another of Maldini’s former teammates is Gennaro Gattuso, who is now the Coach of Milan.

“I think he’s done really well. We all expected his grit, determination and hunger, but he also surprised us with his communication skills and tactical acumen. The experiences he had abroad and in Serie B, along with learning from great Coaches, did him good.

“I spoke to Rino when he first took the Primavera youth team job and he asked about my son. I said not to call him, as he wasn’t ready… but Rino ignored me!”

Alessandro Nesta, meanwhile, makes his Italian management debut on the bench of Perugia this evening in Serie B.

“I was surprised by his choice, though I knew already in mid-season he’d had contact with some Serie A clubs. He gained experience at Miami FC and now has to get into a bit more of a professional league, so Serie B is the right environment to do that. I think it’s a long-term project at Perugia and I wish him the best.”

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